(the city's name, according to our new friends from the UK)
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Parkinson PUSH-UP Program.
This is a program that began one hour ago. With the half-marathon over and the potential Dubai marathon far away, we decided that we needed SOMETHING to work towards in the next little while. And so, we agreed on push-ups! The program entails daily "to-exhaustion" push-up sessions with the hope of becoming stronger and stronger each day. Tonight I could only do FOUR. UNTIL EXHAUSTION. AND THEY WERE GIRLY ONES.
Training for the half marathon was already so much easier......
Honeymoon Chatter.
Phillip: (seriously) I am so lucky to be married to you. I was dealt a royal flush.
Lindsay: (excitedly) I am so lucky to be married to YOU. I was dealt a royal flush that was going to be worth five hundred million dollars!!!
(Bursts of laughter).
Phillip: You're so romantic.
Achy Adventures!
Post-half has proven to be quite painful for the both of us. After the race on Sunday, we spent the entire afternoon and evening in the hotel room....drinking red wine and eating some well-earned pizza! We did our best to hobble around China Town yesterday and even ran to catch the bus to the San Francisco Giant's game last night! Today we made the most of our FINAL FULL DAY and explored the city for 9 CONSECUTIVE HOURS! We left the hotel with the intent of being "YES!" people - which resulted in TOO MUCH drinking on a spontaneous Bay Cruise, followed by an "only happened because I was drunk" lunch at Hooters. Haha - what a great way to end our time in SF! Tomorrow we head back to Toronto, and then to the Parkinson residence for Stephen and Nicole's wedding reception!
Monday, July 26, 2010
NEXT UP.
Immediately following the half marathon....
Lindsay: So, what are we going to do next?!
Phil: WHAT?! REALLY?! We're not going to just relax for a while?
Lindsay: Well....no. Relaxing is boring. We hate relaxing.
Phil: No - YOU hate relaxing. Relaxing is what I would love to do all day long.
Lindsay: Fine then. I am going to run a marathon very soon you know.
Phil: UGH. Fine - I will do it too.
Lindsay: EXCELLENT! I'm thinking Dubai, January 2011!!!!
Phil: Here we go again....
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Parkinson's 4 Parkinson's raised $2596 for Parkinson's Disease Research! Thank you for helping us to meet and EXCEED our fundraising goal! One hundred percent of the proceeds will go towards finding new treatments and (we hope!) a cure!
Race Lessons - Our Top Ten:
10) San Francisco has HILLS.
9) A camera is a fun during-race tool. Bring ONE!
8) If you could only be PHYSICALLY FIT or MENTALLY TOUGH, choose the latter. It's what gets you to the finish line.
7) Marathoners are motivators. You can't help but be inspired and CHEER for others!
6) Sweats check RULES. There's nothing like a bundle of WARM CLOTHES at the finish line!
5) You can't stop moving when you finish. WALK, WALK, WALK or SEIZE, SEIZE, SEIZE.
4) Post-run "capes" make you feel like a REAL SUPERHERO!
3) Holding hands across the finish line wasn't invented by us.....
2) There's nothing like............MORE COWBELL!
1) Age is meaningless. So is size. And colour. Running doesn't discriminate. Anyone can do it. ANYONE. Yes - EVEN YOU!
Team Parkinson Pre-Race Dinner.
DELICIOUS. INSPIRING. WELCOMING. REASSURING. HOPEFUL.
Within five minutes of being there, we KNEW we made the right "honeymoon selection". Everyone involved with TEAM PARKINSON is so friendly and family-like - and there were many moments where Phil and I looked at each other and said "I'm so glad we did this!". Leaving the restaurant, we knew that this event would NOT be our only involvement with Team Parkinson.
Within five minutes of being there, we KNEW we made the right "honeymoon selection". Everyone involved with TEAM PARKINSON is so friendly and family-like - and there were many moments where Phil and I looked at each other and said "I'm so glad we did this!". Leaving the restaurant, we knew that this event would NOT be our only involvement with Team Parkinson.
Sunday, July 25, 2010
The Race Expo.
This morning Phil and I walked down to the Race Expo to pick up our race kits (which are basically party bags for running enthusiasts!). The place was PACKED with runners (an anticipated 20,000 will race tomorrow) and there was a wonderland of gizmos and gadgets to sample, purchase, and learn about. Lucky for us (and I'm kidding here), there were also paparazzi waiting to speak to us about "Parkinson's 4 Parkinson's"! We were (to our GRAND surprise) interviewed and photographed and then re-interviewed and re-photographed. We were directed to "act like you're putting that singlet on for the first time" and then "act like you're looking over the brochure", followed by "can we re-do that?". Haha - it was very embarrassing and people were looking at us as if we were actually important! Anyways, we walked away from the expo with three complimentary t-shirts, new "ear buds" designed for runners, many fitness goodies, and much encouragement for tomorrow's race. These are our bibs and race t-shirts:
Tonight we are headed for a TEAM PARKINSON dinner on Fisherman's Wharf. Fingers crossed for delicious food with LITTLE ATTENTION!
Tonight we are headed for a TEAM PARKINSON dinner on Fisherman's Wharf. Fingers crossed for delicious food with LITTLE ATTENTION!
A Perfect Comic Strip.
I swear this city should be in a cartoon or something similar. A big, grey cloud of fog sits over San Francisco......ALL THE TIME! We have left the city twice now, and both times, a trip over the Golden Gate or Bay Bridge leads to sunshine and warmth and a return the same way is destined for wind and cold! Today is our first day with "a little bit" of sunshine........but the clouds are still there, teasing us with a likely comeback.
Yosemite National Park.
What a SUPER experience! We had the world's cutest tour guide (a happy Brazilian named Rick), 7 excellent travel companions (a perfectly-grumpy man from New Zealand, a mother and son from London, a mother and son from Columbia and a couple from Australia) and many great photo ops for the "HONEYMOON" album. Oh - and we saw waterfalls, Giant Sequoia's, and even a BIG BLACK BEAR! Maybe these pictures will get you there too!
Sonoma Valley
The other day we ventured into wine country with a bus load of people! There were 36 of us all together, and many had the mission of "getting right drunk". I imagine this experience would have been different had we have gone in a rental car, SOLO.
The day consisted of three different wineries - both big ones (like where Geena Davis got married for the ba-zillionth time) and small ones (like where you would sit on the wrap-around porch and drink a lemonade with your grandparents). At each stop, the host would introduce us to their estate, and then to at least five different kinds of wine. After this, you had the option of touring the winery or going "INSIDE" for more sampling. Of course, we always chose to take pictures and explore the premises.....and, of course, many others chose to drink away until what came to be known as "bus curfew". The final bus curfew was a much needed one - and it was a good thing we headed home when we did. The ride home was filled with San Francisco-themed belt-outs by "Dr. Jen and Birthday Girl", two VERY drunk and SINGLE 40 year old ladies. The bus driver, who was supposedly NOT wine tasting on the day, became very fond of these two hooligans and it was clear that they may have gone home as a group of three.
Here are some photos from our wine tour that was very beautiful (in addition to being VERY INTERESTING!):
The day consisted of three different wineries - both big ones (like where Geena Davis got married for the ba-zillionth time) and small ones (like where you would sit on the wrap-around porch and drink a lemonade with your grandparents). At each stop, the host would introduce us to their estate, and then to at least five different kinds of wine. After this, you had the option of touring the winery or going "INSIDE" for more sampling. Of course, we always chose to take pictures and explore the premises.....and, of course, many others chose to drink away until what came to be known as "bus curfew". The final bus curfew was a much needed one - and it was a good thing we headed home when we did. The ride home was filled with San Francisco-themed belt-outs by "Dr. Jen and Birthday Girl", two VERY drunk and SINGLE 40 year old ladies. The bus driver, who was supposedly NOT wine tasting on the day, became very fond of these two hooligans and it was clear that they may have gone home as a group of three.
Here are some photos from our wine tour that was very beautiful (in addition to being VERY INTERESTING!):
Friday, July 23, 2010
And one more thing...
I forget to mention this in the last post. Muir Woods made Phil say "NEAT-O". Haha - that is all.
America's Next Top Model: Muir Woods Edition
This morning Phil and I spent time at the "Muir Woods National Monument" - an area known for one of the tallest living things in the world! If you are into guessing games, here are your hints: they can reach up to 380 feet tall, 14 feet wide, and may live for up to 2000 years! They are.......(take a guess!)......the CALIFORNIA REDWOODS!!! If you were right, GREAT JOB! I hope you have had the chance to see them too!
It was a meditation-like thing walking through this area - feeling so peaceful and happy amongst these GIANT trees! I can't even believe how calm it was.....especially since the park was marked with lines of tour buses and other guide groups. Our bus alone had 36 people....and being in the woods, you would have thought there were only a few. I suppose those pre-walk "lectures on silence" and "please be quiet" signs were effective at keeping the area tranquil.
Near the end of our stroll (and with nothing much more to meditate about), we decided to embark on a "quiet" mission to bring HIGH FASHION to Muir Woods. America's Next Top Model was our inspiration for the activity, as it has been our current television favourite. Do you think Tyra would applaud our effort? It sure seems "HIGH FASHION" to us!
It was a meditation-like thing walking through this area - feeling so peaceful and happy amongst these GIANT trees! I can't even believe how calm it was.....especially since the park was marked with lines of tour buses and other guide groups. Our bus alone had 36 people....and being in the woods, you would have thought there were only a few. I suppose those pre-walk "lectures on silence" and "please be quiet" signs were effective at keeping the area tranquil.
Near the end of our stroll (and with nothing much more to meditate about), we decided to embark on a "quiet" mission to bring HIGH FASHION to Muir Woods. America's Next Top Model was our inspiration for the activity, as it has been our current television favourite. Do you think Tyra would applaud our effort? It sure seems "HIGH FASHION" to us!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
"The coldest winter I ever saw was the summer I spent in San Francisco." - Mark Twain
Today we went on a "Grand City Tour" with a small travel company that our hotel had never heard of! Some may believe that is SKETCHY (and maybe it is), but Phil and I really enjoy a "personal touch" and so we booked with "Steph-en" and enjoyed the day with two other couples.
The tour covered all of the city's major sights, including an introduction to the famous districts (i.e. the Castro District, Haight-Ashbury, Nob Hill, etc.), Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge and so on. We were lucky to be in a warm and cozy van for most of the tour, because it was quite chilly (a.k.a. FREEZING) outside. In fact, some people we have met here are second-timers and STILL didn't expect they would need winter jackets or touques in the city! I wore four shirts today and TWO pairs of socks and - GET THIS - Phil was wearing a SWEATSHIRT (yes, believe it!). Anyways, the minutes where we did have to step out of the van were enough to send us on a mission for FLEECE. Thank goodness for North Face - the ONLY store that was selling both summer and winter attire. Tomorrow should be a much more manageable day outdoors as we venture to Muir Woods and the Sonoma Valley, followed by Friday's tour of Yosemite National Park.
P.S. Our jackets MATCH. Aren't they cute?
The tour covered all of the city's major sights, including an introduction to the famous districts (i.e. the Castro District, Haight-Ashbury, Nob Hill, etc.), Lombard Street, Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, a stop at the Golden Gate Bridge and so on. We were lucky to be in a warm and cozy van for most of the tour, because it was quite chilly (a.k.a. FREEZING) outside. In fact, some people we have met here are second-timers and STILL didn't expect they would need winter jackets or touques in the city! I wore four shirts today and TWO pairs of socks and - GET THIS - Phil was wearing a SWEATSHIRT (yes, believe it!). Anyways, the minutes where we did have to step out of the van were enough to send us on a mission for FLEECE. Thank goodness for North Face - the ONLY store that was selling both summer and winter attire. Tomorrow should be a much more manageable day outdoors as we venture to Muir Woods and the Sonoma Valley, followed by Friday's tour of Yosemite National Park.
P.S. Our jackets MATCH. Aren't they cute?
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A Controversial Term...
Well, not really. Just in our relationship it is. The word is "NEAT-O" and Phil lets out an embarrassing giggle whenever I use it. In fact, I just used it to describe a picture I posted on facebook and he questioned whether a synonym could be used instead. Hmmm....NOPE! The picture IS neat-o and I brought it to his attention that my Nan is also a fan of the term (used for "really really really COOL things"). Unfortunately, the FYI didn't add to my argument like I had hoped! Ah well, it's two against one - right, Nan?!
P.S. I'm learning to knit! Isn't that NEAT-O?!!!!!!!
P.S. I'm learning to knit! Isn't that NEAT-O?!!!!!!!
Baseball Chatter.
Watching the WASHINGTON / CINCINNATI baseball game at the hotel...
Lindsay: (acting "into" the game) GOOD EYE, GOOD EYE!
Phillip: Hun, the guy just struck out.
Lindsay: Well.............I guess the pitcher had a good eye!
Phillip: Oh Linds.
Lindsay: (acting "into" the game) GOOD EYE, GOOD EYE!
Phillip: Hun, the guy just struck out.
Lindsay: Well.............I guess the pitcher had a good eye!
Phillip: Oh Linds.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
A Great Summary of the City So Far.....
This afternoon we walked to the Entertainment District to get tickets for "Wicked". These posters decorated the outside of the theatre.
California? Really?!
Silly us. Our suitcase is filled with shorts, t-shirts, skirts and tanks. Hmmm......check out what the people HERE are wearing! Should-a checked the W.N.!
Reasons we will never fly UNITED again.....
1) The staff have no sympathy for "airplane beginners" or those who speak foreign languages. Being firm is one thing. Being RUDE is another. Self check-in is new to many people.
2) Every bag costs you. YES - EVERY SINGLE ONE. One or two bags. Over or underweight. It doesn't matter. (Apparently, it would have been free with our e-ticket to Kuwait...which we didn't think we would need!)
3) Blankets or pillows on board? "Why?", they ask!
4) The rule: only carry-on's with wheels are allowed in the overhead compartments. SERIOUSLY?! Isn't this encouraging "those" people to continue bringing extra-heavy bags on board?
5) The only way to quench your thirst or end your hunger is with VISA. Yes - you must pay for snacks, meals, and many of the in-flight beverages. We didn't even receive complimentary peanuts!
6) The movie they played was "Diary of a Whimpy Kid". The show they played was "Frasier". I wonder if we will receive a bill in the mail for these.
7) Whatever happened to "Flight Tracker"? Passengers remained unsure of "how much longer" for the entire flight!
Ah - on a positive note, the landing was SMOOTH!
Our New "Baby".
After a fantastic day in Toronto.....
Lindsay: So - you're not allowed to up and leave me ya know!
Phil: I can't. We have a MAC together.
That's RIGHT! Phil and I are now official Mac users. Baha - I better change that to "owners", because we only know about three moves on the new laptop! Stay tuned for stories of frustration and (the sales person GUARANTEES) GLEE!
Lindsay: So - you're not allowed to up and leave me ya know!
Phil: I can't. We have a MAC together.
That's RIGHT! Phil and I are now official Mac users. Baha - I better change that to "owners", because we only know about three moves on the new laptop! Stay tuned for stories of frustration and (the sales person GUARANTEES) GLEE!
Laughs and Screams at the CN Tower.
In addition to the Hockey Hall of Fame, Phil and I spent the majority of our Monday at the CN Tower. Neither of us had ever been up the tower (weird, eh?!) and both of us get sucked into package "deals" that include random other things beyond the obvious attraction. And so our CN Tower Adventure began....the whole darn package.
The view from the Tower was spectacular. We visited both the observation deck and sky pod, along with the spooky glass floor that made me look like a wussy in front of the world's 5-10 year olds. Phil was brave as always - laying on the floor, jumping on the floor, repeating both the laying and the jumping.......GOSH. I was happy when we decided to move onto the next big deal.
After the main part of the tour, we took the elevator to the bottom floor where we got to participate in our extra "package" activities. The first was a theatre ride that was scary and hilarious. We were sprayed with water, whipped by alligator tails, and bounced around on Super-Tree logs. It was all worth-it in the end, as we now know how humankind will survive tree shortages in the future.
Following the ride, we watched a 3D movie about Surfing in Tahiti. I was actually quite excited (no.....VERY excited...) for this part of the day. Of course (and I say this because I always pick bad movies), it turned out to be a BUST and I couldn't stop laughing at how terrible the entire 45 minutes of it was. At least half of the theatre walked out during the show and no one even appeared aggravated that the screen was obstructed during these mass exits. Phil managed to act intrigued throughout, simply because he thought that I was laughing because I was enjoying the show so much. Oh Phil. I'm so sorry you had to sit through that!
Until any new movies (baha) make it to the CN Tower, we can check this attraction off of our "Canada - To See" list. Looking ahead, there is now a sound and light show at the Parliament buildings in Ottawa!
The view from the Tower was spectacular. We visited both the observation deck and sky pod, along with the spooky glass floor that made me look like a wussy in front of the world's 5-10 year olds. Phil was brave as always - laying on the floor, jumping on the floor, repeating both the laying and the jumping.......GOSH. I was happy when we decided to move onto the next big deal.
After the main part of the tour, we took the elevator to the bottom floor where we got to participate in our extra "package" activities. The first was a theatre ride that was scary and hilarious. We were sprayed with water, whipped by alligator tails, and bounced around on Super-Tree logs. It was all worth-it in the end, as we now know how humankind will survive tree shortages in the future.
Following the ride, we watched a 3D movie about Surfing in Tahiti. I was actually quite excited (no.....VERY excited...) for this part of the day. Of course (and I say this because I always pick bad movies), it turned out to be a BUST and I couldn't stop laughing at how terrible the entire 45 minutes of it was. At least half of the theatre walked out during the show and no one even appeared aggravated that the screen was obstructed during these mass exits. Phil managed to act intrigued throughout, simply because he thought that I was laughing because I was enjoying the show so much. Oh Phil. I'm so sorry you had to sit through that!
Until any new movies (baha) make it to the CN Tower, we can check this attraction off of our "Canada - To See" list. Looking ahead, there is now a sound and light show at the Parliament buildings in Ottawa!
LIES!
Marriage DOES NOT change EVERYTHING.
Oh - and one more thing: check out our "commentating skills" at the play-by-play links below! They only work for four more days - so you need to be QUICK!
http://www.legendsofhockey.net/TSN/playbyplay.jsp?video=LINDSAY.SARAH.HOIT@GMAIL.COM_49a0517b-0421-40e2-830d-0612e03cd448.wmv
http://www.legendsofhockey.net/TSN/playbyplay.jsp?video=PHILLIP_PARKINSON@HOTMAIL.COM_f15215f9-220b-4ea7-83a2-bc114a79c36d.wmv
BREAKING NEWS!
Phillip has a new travel companion! His name is "CAPTAIN CANADA" and he made his world debut at the Hockey Hall of Fame yesterday.
(I really did marry the right person).
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Getting to know my brother-in-law....
After a discussion about how much he LOVES ANY and ALL kinds of cheese....
Lindsay: (taking an interest in his food passion) Wow! So do you just LOVE cheese and crackers for a snack?
Stephen: (pause)......Why do you need crackers?
Jeez - must be LOVE. Don't you agree?!
Lindsay: (taking an interest in his food passion) Wow! So do you just LOVE cheese and crackers for a snack?
Stephen: (pause)......Why do you need crackers?
Jeez - must be LOVE. Don't you agree?!
CHECK THIS OUT:
Another W-O-W worthy event to add to the scrapbook! According to Passport Canada, I am now a REAL, TRUE PARKINSON! This day was a GREAT day.
BUSY BEAVERS WE ARE :)
And the chaos continues as we prepare for our new adventure in Kuwait, settle in our puppy Oscar, and visit with family and friends! Here are some particulars to keep you in the loop:
1) We had a great time at my parent's house in Lakefield - a nice run along the trail, a delicious dinner out (and many delicious dinners IN!), gossip time with the "sibs", (cold) swims in the lake, and tea-time's with Dad and Julie.
2) We met two darling friends for lunch - Sara and Ann Marie. Both girls are absolutely charming and Phil quite likes their sense of humour. I am so happy he has gotten to know (and LOVE!) some of my best friends.
3) We ordered and picked up police checks (we're GOOD CITIZENS!), certificates of good health, and lab result after lab result from the fine city of Peterborough. It was a hassle to get these things done, but Phil has a way with words that far surpasses my ability to "get things done".
4) We have been back in Wheatley for the past few days - enjoying drinks on the deck, the show "BIG BROTHER", an introduction to our new niece (a tiny kitten named Nala), some sales-shopping in Windsor, a BIG breakfast at "Casablanca's" and lots of HUGGING (the Parkinson's just LOVE to hug...BAHA).
This afternoon we leave for Toronto, where we will be for two nights before heading to San Fran early Tuesday morning! I can't wait for our HONEYMOON to begin!!!
1) We had a great time at my parent's house in Lakefield - a nice run along the trail, a delicious dinner out (and many delicious dinners IN!), gossip time with the "sibs", (cold) swims in the lake, and tea-time's with Dad and Julie.
2) We met two darling friends for lunch - Sara and Ann Marie. Both girls are absolutely charming and Phil quite likes their sense of humour. I am so happy he has gotten to know (and LOVE!) some of my best friends.
3) We ordered and picked up police checks (we're GOOD CITIZENS!), certificates of good health, and lab result after lab result from the fine city of Peterborough. It was a hassle to get these things done, but Phil has a way with words that far surpasses my ability to "get things done".
4) We have been back in Wheatley for the past few days - enjoying drinks on the deck, the show "BIG BROTHER", an introduction to our new niece (a tiny kitten named Nala), some sales-shopping in Windsor, a BIG breakfast at "Casablanca's" and lots of HUGGING (the Parkinson's just LOVE to hug...BAHA).
This afternoon we leave for Toronto, where we will be for two nights before heading to San Fran early Tuesday morning! I can't wait for our HONEYMOON to begin!!!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Summer Lovin'
A 3 mile sunset-run counteracted by TWO double-scooped, chocolate chip cookie dough icecream cones! I love outings with PHILLIP :)
Sunday, July 11, 2010
Learning new terms....
Phil: Ooooo - that looks neat!
Lindsay: Yes it does! Would you call it a marsh or a swamp? Or do they mean the same thing?
Phil: Well....I believe that marshes are pretty.....and swamps have monsters.
Lindsay: Hmm...makes sense. We'll call this one a "marsh". But wait - what about "bogs"?
Heaven Off Seven :)
Phil and I are back from another great gathering with the Richmire's! Some reunion highlights include: door prizes every hour (we won a Beatles picture, Cranium, and a scrapbooking album!), magnificent hamburgers and pancakes, ice cold favourites of both wine and beer, a high-intensity game of "Catch Phrase" (CONGRATS, GIRLS TEAM!), three big fishing successes, a relaxing boat ride around the lake, many rows of knitting and pearling, and an exciting night-time sparkler activity. Thank you for a SUPER visit, Mama and Papa C! We can't wait for next year's reunion!
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Tomorrow, tomorrow...
We are headed to Maberly, Ontario to visit with Mama and Papa Cairo! It is a much anticipated day of paddle-boating, swimming, learning to knit, having a beer, laughing at "the good old days", and saying "so long" until next summer! Next year, they will be a skype-call away, enjoying their new teaching adventure in St. Maarten.
LINDSAY PHILLIPS.
It all came about in Leamington, Ontario on a sign that read "Lindsay Phillips" in large print. Lindsay Phillips?! Well jeez - what is this coincidental advertisement all about? Surely I had to find out and it was Phil's Mom who revealed to me the most creative invention I have seen in a long while.....
They are called "Switchflops" and they are created by the top-notch engineer, Lindsay Phillip. How genius - the use of velcro to make fancy, diverse, interchangeable straps for a single sole! You can bet that I will be picking up a pair (a.k.a. many pairs) of Lindsay Phillips on our next trip to Leamington!
They are called "Switchflops" and they are created by the top-notch engineer, Lindsay Phillip. How genius - the use of velcro to make fancy, diverse, interchangeable straps for a single sole! You can bet that I will be picking up a pair (a.k.a. many pairs) of Lindsay Phillips on our next trip to Leamington!
Indirectly.....Charitable......Spending......
Standing in line at Chapters.....
Phil: (looking at the pile of goodies in my hands) There you go! Happy birthday, merry christmas, congratulations, get well, good luck, bon voyage......
Lindsay: (examining what she is holding) Ya....I know.....but hun (pointing out her book titled, "The 100 Best Volunteer Vacations to Enrich Your Life")....ultimately, we're going to GIVE BACK!
Lessons of the Week.
1. There is nothing better than cruising around in the PT Cruiser (our rental!) and belting out show tunes with the cast of Glee.
2. A pink snuggie goes a long way in terms of smiles. Ask Phil.
3. Having a niece is THE BEST. We could watch her all day long and still be intrigued.
4. Making an appointment to get a "health certificate" is number one on our "recently dislike" list.
5. Maybe one SHOULD be encouraged to smile on photo ID. Phil broke every camera in Ontario with his driver's license renewal snap.
6. Hot Schmot. Cairo is much cooler and much more manageable than the "extra hot due to humidity" temperatures HERE.
7. Rain. Don't go away. We miss you.
8. Road rules may be a greater comfort than a warm cup of tea. Lines, traffic lights, signals, lanes.....THANK YOU!
9. Canada must rate #1 for "highest percentage of well-kept washrooms with high-tech gadgets". Everything is automatic. AND CLEAN!
10. Using your own "internet connection" is incredibly reliable and QUICK!
2. A pink snuggie goes a long way in terms of smiles. Ask Phil.
3. Having a niece is THE BEST. We could watch her all day long and still be intrigued.
4. Making an appointment to get a "health certificate" is number one on our "recently dislike" list.
5. Maybe one SHOULD be encouraged to smile on photo ID. Phil broke every camera in Ontario with his driver's license renewal snap.
6. Hot Schmot. Cairo is much cooler and much more manageable than the "extra hot due to humidity" temperatures HERE.
7. Rain. Don't go away. We miss you.
8. Road rules may be a greater comfort than a warm cup of tea. Lines, traffic lights, signals, lanes.....THANK YOU!
9. Canada must rate #1 for "highest percentage of well-kept washrooms with high-tech gadgets". Everything is automatic. AND CLEAN!
10. Using your own "internet connection" is incredibly reliable and QUICK!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Mondays AREN'T Fundays....
Ah - our very first "Monday-Start" since last August and today's to-do list is already an extensive reminder of why "Monday's" are the worst. After we make a tea in our new GREEN tumblers, we are off to complete a string of errands that are sure to dominate our also-extensive "fun" to-do list. Here's a wee bit of the itinerary we have planned out....
1. Rent a car from Enterprise.
2. Wal-mart for Passport Photos.
3. Bank appointment at 12:30.
4. Get Oscar a license at the Municpal Office.
5. Post office to pick up Passport Application.
6. Renew Phil's driver's license and change the name on mine.
7. Pick up health card. INSHALLAH.
8. Get Phillip new glasses.
I'm hoping to "spice up" the day with a trip to Tim Horton's, the beach, and CHAPTERS! We'll let you know if the "fun" to-do list is able to hold its own on this busy, busy MONDAY!
1. Rent a car from Enterprise.
2. Wal-mart for Passport Photos.
3. Bank appointment at 12:30.
4. Get Oscar a license at the Municpal Office.
5. Post office to pick up Passport Application.
6. Renew Phil's driver's license and change the name on mine.
7. Pick up health card. INSHALLAH.
8. Get Phillip new glasses.
I'm hoping to "spice up" the day with a trip to Tim Horton's, the beach, and CHAPTERS! We'll let you know if the "fun" to-do list is able to hold its own on this busy, busy MONDAY!
Cheers to GREAT MEN (and WOMEN!)
After a double-date viewing of "Sex and the City 2"....
Phil: Wow! It's 9:20. That movie was over 2 hours!
Stephen: Ya - I thought we were watching Sex and the City 2, 3, 4 AND 5.
Haha - and so we know that these Parkinson's are GREAT men! Nicole - we are darn lucky!
RUN, FOREST, RUN!
Yesterday, Phil and I ran our longest run to date - 12 miles! It was our final long run before the pre-race tapering period and we did it at another fantastic training location - Point Pelee National Park. Phil's brother, Stephen, mapped out a great route for us to follow, which included some road running, some trail running, and one stop at the most southern point in Canada! I wish I had Sarge there for a picture, but, although small, he is still too big to carry around for 2 hours of activity!
My favourite part of the run was Phil's finish.....high-fiving trees and other plants while yelling, "thanks guys!" when we reached the 12 mile distance. This is simply another example of how much he INTRINSICALLY loves the environment! (Sidenote: we have also had the luxury of recycling many items in the past three days! RECYCLING IS AWESOME.)
My favourite part of the post-run was logging onto our team page and seeing that we had met our new fundraising goal of $2100! Because of all of your kind hearts, Parkinson's 4 Parkinson's are now considered "official sponsors" of the race in San Fran! THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Of course, if you are still eager to support our team, donations will continue to be accepted until July 25th - just click on the blue shoe to the right of this post!
My favourite part of the run was Phil's finish.....high-fiving trees and other plants while yelling, "thanks guys!" when we reached the 12 mile distance. This is simply another example of how much he INTRINSICALLY loves the environment! (Sidenote: we have also had the luxury of recycling many items in the past three days! RECYCLING IS AWESOME.)
My favourite part of the post-run was logging onto our team page and seeing that we had met our new fundraising goal of $2100! Because of all of your kind hearts, Parkinson's 4 Parkinson's are now considered "official sponsors" of the race in San Fran! THANK YOU, THANK YOU! Of course, if you are still eager to support our team, donations will continue to be accepted until July 25th - just click on the blue shoe to the right of this post!
Humdallah - WE ARE HOME!
Our last post began with a quote and so I decided to begin this one (about our flight home!) in a similar way:
"I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on." ~Jean Kerr
I'm not sure why he does, but Phil has a terrible fear of flying. He worries and worries the week prior to any air travel and sweats his way through the dreadful hours spent up in the sky. Oddly (because I am never the brave one in a situation), I don't seem to mind planes too much and even at moments when I do, I act like "MRS. COOL", so Phil knows I have confidence in the pilot. Anyways, this flight home was a little different than any of the other flights we have been together for, as we had our puppy Oscar with us (a.k.a amp up Phil's fear by infinity). Phil was incredibly concerned during the pre-pre-pre, pre-pre, and pre-flight hours, absolutely distraught during the 13 hours spent flying, and un-surprisingly anxious all the way through customs and finally to baggage, where we spotted our beautiful puppy! It was the cutest reunion - better than any movie reunion you have seen, lived or imagined! Phil was the happiest he'd been in 72 hours, Oscar was the hyper-est he'd been in 13 hours, and I was the glad-est I'd ever been after a flight with Phil.
We are now home safe and sound at Phil's parents in Wheatley. Phil is relaxed and enjoying pogos, pizza pockets, and gatorade. Oscar believes the world is a park and has explored new smells and creatures. I have been spoiled with a trip to Tim Horton's, a date to Sex and the City 2, and Pillsbury apple turnovers (yum - thanks Mom P!). With it only being day 3, this summer is a GUARANTEED GREAT ONE!
"I feel about airplanes the way I feel about diets. It seems to me that they are wonderful things for other people to go on." ~Jean Kerr
I'm not sure why he does, but Phil has a terrible fear of flying. He worries and worries the week prior to any air travel and sweats his way through the dreadful hours spent up in the sky. Oddly (because I am never the brave one in a situation), I don't seem to mind planes too much and even at moments when I do, I act like "MRS. COOL", so Phil knows I have confidence in the pilot. Anyways, this flight home was a little different than any of the other flights we have been together for, as we had our puppy Oscar with us (a.k.a amp up Phil's fear by infinity). Phil was incredibly concerned during the pre-pre-pre, pre-pre, and pre-flight hours, absolutely distraught during the 13 hours spent flying, and un-surprisingly anxious all the way through customs and finally to baggage, where we spotted our beautiful puppy! It was the cutest reunion - better than any movie reunion you have seen, lived or imagined! Phil was the happiest he'd been in 72 hours, Oscar was the hyper-est he'd been in 13 hours, and I was the glad-est I'd ever been after a flight with Phil.
We are now home safe and sound at Phil's parents in Wheatley. Phil is relaxed and enjoying pogos, pizza pockets, and gatorade. Oscar believes the world is a park and has explored new smells and creatures. I have been spoiled with a trip to Tim Horton's, a date to Sex and the City 2, and Pillsbury apple turnovers (yum - thanks Mom P!). With it only being day 3, this summer is a GUARANTEED GREAT ONE!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Ma'salama!
"No one realizes how beautiful it is to travel until he comes home and rests his head on his old, familiar pillow." - Lin Yutang
As we finish packing up the apartment, it is easy to throw around phrases like, "this is the worst", "I hate packing", "our flight is going to be miserable", yadda, yadda, yadda. In fact, we have bickered over packing strategies, stressed about extra costs, and cried over the reality of the next 30 hours. Thank GOODNESS for this quote that reminds us of the appreciation we will have when we arrive in Canada tomorrow evening.
Egypt, you have been good to us. Until next time, ma'salama!
As we finish packing up the apartment, it is easy to throw around phrases like, "this is the worst", "I hate packing", "our flight is going to be miserable", yadda, yadda, yadda. In fact, we have bickered over packing strategies, stressed about extra costs, and cried over the reality of the next 30 hours. Thank GOODNESS for this quote that reminds us of the appreciation we will have when we arrive in Canada tomorrow evening.
Egypt, you have been good to us. Until next time, ma'salama!
Worldwide CANADIAN Pride :)
Why restrict it to ONE DAY? Sarge believes it is an everyday, everywhere sort of thing. Here are some photos from his exciting 2009-2010 World Tour.
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