Remember my rant on Uggs?
Well I saw red Uggs. I guess I can use that Dr Suess story afterall.
Darn those Uggs people.
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Making the most of an experience
Written Saturday, February 05, 2005 @ 10:37pm
I went paragliding. I jumped off a mountain with a parachute (oh, and a man who knew what he was doing). I’ve never done anything like that before, and I loved it. I wasn’t actually scared or nervous (which surprised me). Of course I was really excited to do it. A little running, and we’re off. I actually thought he’d bailed and we were going to try again, because is didn’t seem like we were moving anymore. But then, all of a sudden, I realized that my feet couldn’t touch the ground anymore. I was surprised at what it felt like to be in the air. I felt like I was just hanging there. Not like I was zooming around, falling quickly or anything crazy. I felt like I was hanging there. Hanging in midair. We were only going at approx. 30 km/h. Obviously the view was spectacular. I couldn’t stop smiling. Then we went crazy. Bruno started doing crazy dips. It was such a rush. Like a roller coaster. I didn’t know where to look to focus. I didn’t know where was up. I was screaming out of sheer exhilaration and happiness. It gave you the top and bottom of roller coaster bumps feelings. The weightlessness…the heaviness. We waved at the skiers staring in awe. We waved at the people enjoying a drink on the alps. We swooped towards the slopes. We probably scared the bejeezers out of some of the skiers (especially since it was the bunny hill and they were probably freaked out to begin with). I took video footage. I made some snaps. I had a professional snap taken (complete with squinty eyes, and WAY too big of a smile). We flew over the town. I had my turn at steering. It was over too soon. A soft landing on powdered snow. I MUST do it again.
Some people gave me a strange look when they heard how much it was going to cost me, but I didn’t care. I’m NOT a big spender. Some may call me cheap. But, I look at things a little differently now. I am given opportunities that I may never have again, so perhaps it seems more expensive than is reasonable, but if it’s possible, I’m going to take full advantage of these opportunities and experiences. Hence the purchasing of 2006 Torino tickets (shhh…more details to follow MUCH later…just wanted to give a sneak peak of – fingers crossed – things to come.)
When do I have to wake up?
I went paragliding. I jumped off a mountain with a parachute (oh, and a man who knew what he was doing). I’ve never done anything like that before, and I loved it. I wasn’t actually scared or nervous (which surprised me). Of course I was really excited to do it. A little running, and we’re off. I actually thought he’d bailed and we were going to try again, because is didn’t seem like we were moving anymore. But then, all of a sudden, I realized that my feet couldn’t touch the ground anymore. I was surprised at what it felt like to be in the air. I felt like I was just hanging there. Not like I was zooming around, falling quickly or anything crazy. I felt like I was hanging there. Hanging in midair. We were only going at approx. 30 km/h. Obviously the view was spectacular. I couldn’t stop smiling. Then we went crazy. Bruno started doing crazy dips. It was such a rush. Like a roller coaster. I didn’t know where to look to focus. I didn’t know where was up. I was screaming out of sheer exhilaration and happiness. It gave you the top and bottom of roller coaster bumps feelings. The weightlessness…the heaviness. We waved at the skiers staring in awe. We waved at the people enjoying a drink on the alps. We swooped towards the slopes. We probably scared the bejeezers out of some of the skiers (especially since it was the bunny hill and they were probably freaked out to begin with). I took video footage. I made some snaps. I had a professional snap taken (complete with squinty eyes, and WAY too big of a smile). We flew over the town. I had my turn at steering. It was over too soon. A soft landing on powdered snow. I MUST do it again.
Some people gave me a strange look when they heard how much it was going to cost me, but I didn’t care. I’m NOT a big spender. Some may call me cheap. But, I look at things a little differently now. I am given opportunities that I may never have again, so perhaps it seems more expensive than is reasonable, but if it’s possible, I’m going to take full advantage of these opportunities and experiences. Hence the purchasing of 2006 Torino tickets (shhh…more details to follow MUCH later…just wanted to give a sneak peak of – fingers crossed – things to come.)
When do I have to wake up?
My skiing tidbits
Written Saturday, February 05, 2005 @ 10:29pm
1. It sucks to ski when you can’t make out the texture/consistency of the snow. You have to rely on quick reflexes and skiing skills, because you don’t know when you’re going to hit ice, a bump, powder, etc. You don’t even really know where the ground is and where you can dig into.
2. Skiing in the shade is darn cold. And the sun makes it easier to see the ground.
3. Zermatt doesn’t believe in moguls. They flatten them out if they start to appear.
4. My style of skiing is quick turns as opposed to wide swooping turns. I think it’s the skater in me. I seem to really carve on my turns to slow myself down and gain control. Like I’m digging into the ice.
5. I don’t like to go too fast.
1. It sucks to ski when you can’t make out the texture/consistency of the snow. You have to rely on quick reflexes and skiing skills, because you don’t know when you’re going to hit ice, a bump, powder, etc. You don’t even really know where the ground is and where you can dig into.
2. Skiing in the shade is darn cold. And the sun makes it easier to see the ground.
3. Zermatt doesn’t believe in moguls. They flatten them out if they start to appear.
4. My style of skiing is quick turns as opposed to wide swooping turns. I think it’s the skater in me. I seem to really carve on my turns to slow myself down and gain control. Like I’m digging into the ice.
5. I don’t like to go too fast.
Off piste
Written Saturday, February 05, 2005 @ 10:08pm
When you ski, there are areas that are marked off for you to ski. You know, trails. They usually have poles of some sort as boundaries. For your safety, you’re supposed to stay on the trails. Of course this means that there’s another option. Going “off piste”. This is where you may run into trees, rocks, you know, uncharted territory. Grounds that haven’t been skied on, with fresh snow.
Now, I’m NOT stupid. I’m not going to ski where it’s not safe. Think of it like how at Mount St. Louis/Dagmar/Blue Mountain/Whatever, you go off little bumps, or just off the course. Same kind of thing here. I actually didn’t go to completely uncharted terrain. I only when where I could see tracks (ie. a couple other skiers when there)
Note: I keep writing “skiers”, but of course I also mean snowboarders too.
Off piste means deep powdered snow. Think what you’ve seen on TV/movies where skiers are knee deep in fluffy snow in the middle of completely open terrain.
On one day, we found the perfect off piste area. I felt such a thrill. It’s such a different feeling skiing through that type of snow. On trails, you’ve got pretty much packed down snow, and maybe a top layer, but it’s still pretty hard. Off piste was a feeling that I can’t explain (seems like I’m having a hard time explaining many of my experiences).
It was really fun, but you’ve GOT to be careful when going off piste. You never know what kind of terrain you’re going to get. Trees and rocks can pop out of nowhere. You don’t know how deep the snow is (one off piste experience led me to do a face plant, because there was a huge pothole, but you couldn’t tell with all the snow on top of it, so I just sank into the hole, and kept tipping forward because, well, because the fronts of my skis got stuck and then I tipped forward until the action of face planting fluffy snow – I guess that’s one good thing about off piste-ing. It’s so fluffy that falling doesn’t hurt – but you can lose a ski or pole VERY easily.) Oh yeah, and there’s the whole thing about avalanches. Going off piste could potentially cause avalanches, but that’s if you’re doing some serious off piste-ing.
I feel like a pro now that I’ve off piste-ed. Booyah.
When you ski, there are areas that are marked off for you to ski. You know, trails. They usually have poles of some sort as boundaries. For your safety, you’re supposed to stay on the trails. Of course this means that there’s another option. Going “off piste”. This is where you may run into trees, rocks, you know, uncharted territory. Grounds that haven’t been skied on, with fresh snow.
Now, I’m NOT stupid. I’m not going to ski where it’s not safe. Think of it like how at Mount St. Louis/Dagmar/Blue Mountain/Whatever, you go off little bumps, or just off the course. Same kind of thing here. I actually didn’t go to completely uncharted terrain. I only when where I could see tracks (ie. a couple other skiers when there)
Note: I keep writing “skiers”, but of course I also mean snowboarders too.
Off piste means deep powdered snow. Think what you’ve seen on TV/movies where skiers are knee deep in fluffy snow in the middle of completely open terrain.
On one day, we found the perfect off piste area. I felt such a thrill. It’s such a different feeling skiing through that type of snow. On trails, you’ve got pretty much packed down snow, and maybe a top layer, but it’s still pretty hard. Off piste was a feeling that I can’t explain (seems like I’m having a hard time explaining many of my experiences).
It was really fun, but you’ve GOT to be careful when going off piste. You never know what kind of terrain you’re going to get. Trees and rocks can pop out of nowhere. You don’t know how deep the snow is (one off piste experience led me to do a face plant, because there was a huge pothole, but you couldn’t tell with all the snow on top of it, so I just sank into the hole, and kept tipping forward because, well, because the fronts of my skis got stuck and then I tipped forward until the action of face planting fluffy snow – I guess that’s one good thing about off piste-ing. It’s so fluffy that falling doesn’t hurt – but you can lose a ski or pole VERY easily.) Oh yeah, and there’s the whole thing about avalanches. Going off piste could potentially cause avalanches, but that’s if you’re doing some serious off piste-ing.
I feel like a pro now that I’ve off piste-ed. Booyah.
Still in awe
Written Saturday, February 5, 2005 @ 9:56pm
It was a wonderful week. I couldn’t not believe that I was skiing in, on and around the alps.
The weather was fantastic, because it varied and I could experience different things.
Sunny days were fabulous because the sun warmed you up instantly. I wanted to stop everything, lie on the snow and soak up the wonderfulness that I call my life.
One day was snowy. Pretty crazy to ski in, but it wasn't like in good 'ole Collingwood where sometimes they feel like ice pellets on your face (which is just a TAD painful).
We went at a perfect time. There was lots of snow on the ground, and conditions couldn’t have been more perfect.
While skiing, I had to stop every so often not just because it took a good half hour to get down the hill, or because I wanted to take pictures, but to just stare in awe. To breathe. To smile.
FABULOUS.
It hit me this week that this was a once in a lifetime experience. I am positive that if my dream didn’t come true this year, in my lifetime, I would have never heard of and experienced Zermatt.
I’m very happy.
It was a wonderful week. I couldn’t not believe that I was skiing in, on and around the alps.
The weather was fantastic, because it varied and I could experience different things.
Sunny days were fabulous because the sun warmed you up instantly. I wanted to stop everything, lie on the snow and soak up the wonderfulness that I call my life.
One day was snowy. Pretty crazy to ski in, but it wasn't like in good 'ole Collingwood where sometimes they feel like ice pellets on your face (which is just a TAD painful).
We went at a perfect time. There was lots of snow on the ground, and conditions couldn’t have been more perfect.
While skiing, I had to stop every so often not just because it took a good half hour to get down the hill, or because I wanted to take pictures, but to just stare in awe. To breathe. To smile.
FABULOUS.
It hit me this week that this was a once in a lifetime experience. I am positive that if my dream didn’t come true this year, in my lifetime, I would have never heard of and experienced Zermatt.
I’m very happy.
The Prix and Lausanne
Written Saturday, February 5, 2005 @ 9:15pm
I'm SO glad that I bought tickets to the Prix. I went on Saturday and Sunday, to watch the Semis and Finals respectively. I was in awe the whole time, and sort of wishing that I had that talent and could join them onstage. It was weird, I mean, I know that it just wouldn't be possible for me to be that good, no matter how hard I try, so I'm not really jealous that I never had the opportunity to participate in something like the Prix, I just wished that there was some other form of dance that wasn't so "turned-out" oriented that I could compete with or perform with. I guess "free movement" was the closest I got, but it obviously didn't take me anywhere in the dance world. I'm still glad I did it though, because when I did free movement, I was always happy. Free. Into the music. I could express what I felt. I've posted on this subject before - you know, about how after awhile ballet just didn't do it for me. It was too restricting or something. Even when I was doing pirouettes and allegro, I had fun, but it wasn't completely wonderful.
Anyway, this was to be a weekend COMPLETELY alone and enjoying myself. I hopped on the train quite early Saturday morning, with the plan that I would wander Lausanne in the morning (shopping, discovering, getting my bearings) and then venture to the Theatre for the Semis which started in the afternoon.
A quick note: I had forgotten that Lausanne was the train station that I was stranded in when coming back from a weekend to Venice in 1997. Dad has remembered, and I remember he'd mentioned it again to me recently, but I honestly thought that it wasn't Lausanne that the wonderful experience happened at. My memory has always been pretty shaky, which is why I think I'm a pack rat. I hope that by keeping little tidbits, I'll look at them years down the road and then I'll remember events that happened. The digital camera's also coming in handy for that reason as well. I wonder if there's anything that I can do to improve my lack of "remembering capability".
The morning was wonderful. It was a little chilly, but popping in and out of stores and boutiques made it easier. Also, it was easy to keep warm for by the sheer fact that it was a constant uphill walk to wherever it was that I needed to go.
Everything was really close, even the Theatre. Funny how maps make everything look so spread out, but then once you walk it, you realize everything's so close. I guess I should have known. It's Europe afterall. Everything's close in Europe.
Finally I get to the Prix. I'm SO excited and I've got a wonderful seat. I'm absolutely blown away by the talented young ladies and gentlemen performing onstage. For the Semis and Finals, the dancers perform three pieces each. First, a classical variation. Next, a contemporary variation choreographed by artists who've come in for the week to rehearse with the dancers. So the dancers just learned the choreography that week as opposed to the other parts which they could have prepared for. Finally, there's a free component where the dancer can dance to anything (music, genre, style, etc.) in which the jury is looking for artistic interpretation.
For the classical variations, the girls either danced to Giselle, Raymonda, Don Q or Sleeping Beauty. The boys: Giselle, Don Q, Le Corsaire, La Sylphide.
For some reason, because everyone looked so "classical" when dancing their classical variations, I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to their contemporary pieces. Again, I was blown away. And the music was fantastic.
I didn't really take notes and pay enough attention to remember which dancers I thought would make it to the finals. I mean, as I watched, I made mental notes about what I liked and didn't like, but after leaving, when I looked at the list of competitors, I could remember which was which. I think for next year, I'll pay more attention to who's who, but this time around I just thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
I happened to sit beside some dancers who had already been cut. It was a tad annoying, because they were pretty catty, and bashing the dancers onstage. I like to enjoy dance in silence, that's all. Whatever.
At intermission, the jury walked by me to their room (it reminded me of when I'm judging at skating competitions and walking by competitors/observers who just stand and stare). I was in awe. Dancers have a special walk. I noticed that Karen Kain doesn't look as polished as I thought she would be. I think it's just that she's getting a little older? I'm not sure. She had that dancer neck, but I was expecting it to be MORE. Oh well.
I also felt myself standing straighter the whole time I was at the Prix. And looking at how everyone walked. I looked for the "waddle". If you know ballet, you know what I'm talking about. I didn't see as many as I expected. Maybe dancers don't waddle as much anymore. When they stood still though, there were some extreme "first positions" happening by nature.
I laughed when one of the free programs was straight out of "Centerstage". Yeah, the movie. He danced to the Michael Jackson song from the gala performance right after Ethan Steifel comes on stage riding his motorcycle.
Finals were fabulous as well. I thought that those who made it to the finals actually danced better in the semis. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was me seeing it for a second time and being more critical. Whatever, it was still incredible.
Before the finals, the dancers had a short warm-up class on stage that the public could watch. Wowee Zowee! Sigh. I do wish I could look like them.
I don't even know how to explain more of what happened. It was just incredible, and I've already decided that I have to go again next year. The dancers were incredibly talented, and I was just so happy the whole time.
I'm SO glad that I bought tickets to the Prix. I went on Saturday and Sunday, to watch the Semis and Finals respectively. I was in awe the whole time, and sort of wishing that I had that talent and could join them onstage. It was weird, I mean, I know that it just wouldn't be possible for me to be that good, no matter how hard I try, so I'm not really jealous that I never had the opportunity to participate in something like the Prix, I just wished that there was some other form of dance that wasn't so "turned-out" oriented that I could compete with or perform with. I guess "free movement" was the closest I got, but it obviously didn't take me anywhere in the dance world. I'm still glad I did it though, because when I did free movement, I was always happy. Free. Into the music. I could express what I felt. I've posted on this subject before - you know, about how after awhile ballet just didn't do it for me. It was too restricting or something. Even when I was doing pirouettes and allegro, I had fun, but it wasn't completely wonderful.
Anyway, this was to be a weekend COMPLETELY alone and enjoying myself. I hopped on the train quite early Saturday morning, with the plan that I would wander Lausanne in the morning (shopping, discovering, getting my bearings) and then venture to the Theatre for the Semis which started in the afternoon.
A quick note: I had forgotten that Lausanne was the train station that I was stranded in when coming back from a weekend to Venice in 1997. Dad has remembered, and I remember he'd mentioned it again to me recently, but I honestly thought that it wasn't Lausanne that the wonderful experience happened at. My memory has always been pretty shaky, which is why I think I'm a pack rat. I hope that by keeping little tidbits, I'll look at them years down the road and then I'll remember events that happened. The digital camera's also coming in handy for that reason as well. I wonder if there's anything that I can do to improve my lack of "remembering capability".
The morning was wonderful. It was a little chilly, but popping in and out of stores and boutiques made it easier. Also, it was easy to keep warm for by the sheer fact that it was a constant uphill walk to wherever it was that I needed to go.
Everything was really close, even the Theatre. Funny how maps make everything look so spread out, but then once you walk it, you realize everything's so close. I guess I should have known. It's Europe afterall. Everything's close in Europe.
Finally I get to the Prix. I'm SO excited and I've got a wonderful seat. I'm absolutely blown away by the talented young ladies and gentlemen performing onstage. For the Semis and Finals, the dancers perform three pieces each. First, a classical variation. Next, a contemporary variation choreographed by artists who've come in for the week to rehearse with the dancers. So the dancers just learned the choreography that week as opposed to the other parts which they could have prepared for. Finally, there's a free component where the dancer can dance to anything (music, genre, style, etc.) in which the jury is looking for artistic interpretation.
For the classical variations, the girls either danced to Giselle, Raymonda, Don Q or Sleeping Beauty. The boys: Giselle, Don Q, Le Corsaire, La Sylphide.
For some reason, because everyone looked so "classical" when dancing their classical variations, I wasn't sure what to expect when it came to their contemporary pieces. Again, I was blown away. And the music was fantastic.
I didn't really take notes and pay enough attention to remember which dancers I thought would make it to the finals. I mean, as I watched, I made mental notes about what I liked and didn't like, but after leaving, when I looked at the list of competitors, I could remember which was which. I think for next year, I'll pay more attention to who's who, but this time around I just thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it.
I happened to sit beside some dancers who had already been cut. It was a tad annoying, because they were pretty catty, and bashing the dancers onstage. I like to enjoy dance in silence, that's all. Whatever.
At intermission, the jury walked by me to their room (it reminded me of when I'm judging at skating competitions and walking by competitors/observers who just stand and stare). I was in awe. Dancers have a special walk. I noticed that Karen Kain doesn't look as polished as I thought she would be. I think it's just that she's getting a little older? I'm not sure. She had that dancer neck, but I was expecting it to be MORE. Oh well.
I also felt myself standing straighter the whole time I was at the Prix. And looking at how everyone walked. I looked for the "waddle". If you know ballet, you know what I'm talking about. I didn't see as many as I expected. Maybe dancers don't waddle as much anymore. When they stood still though, there were some extreme "first positions" happening by nature.
I laughed when one of the free programs was straight out of "Centerstage". Yeah, the movie. He danced to the Michael Jackson song from the gala performance right after Ethan Steifel comes on stage riding his motorcycle.
Finals were fabulous as well. I thought that those who made it to the finals actually danced better in the semis. Perhaps it was nerves, perhaps it was me seeing it for a second time and being more critical. Whatever, it was still incredible.
Before the finals, the dancers had a short warm-up class on stage that the public could watch. Wowee Zowee! Sigh. I do wish I could look like them.
I don't even know how to explain more of what happened. It was just incredible, and I've already decided that I have to go again next year. The dancers were incredibly talented, and I was just so happy the whole time.
Speechless
Written: Tuesday, February 01, 2005 2:30am
I just finished my first day in Zermatt. I arrived here last night (even thought it's Tuesday right now, I still think it's Monday because I haven't gone to bed yet, so the day's still going on), but it was really late, I was tired, and it was so dark that I couldn't really get my bearings or anything. I just went to the hotel, settled in and then went to bed. It didn't help that the plan was to wake up early today. Like, eat breakfast at 8:30am and then head out to the slopes. I'm not a breakfast eater, but I figure that if I'm going to be out all day, I should force myself to eat something. For me to be able to eat in the morning, I need to wake up really early so my body is awake enough to digest the food (or else I get really bad stomach aches). I slept SO comfortably, and unfortunately my wake up call had to ruin it. It was still pretty dark outside as well. Whatever, it was going to be a good day. When I went down for breakfast, I got my first look of outside. I can't even describe it. Directly in front of me (just a little below our hotel) was a town of wooden chalets. In the distance was the alps. Snow covered and fabulous. The sun was shining down on them. I started laughing. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was tearing because of the sheer "oh my goodness" of it all. I really can't describe how incredible it is here.
The plan of the day was to ski to Italy. Is my life for real?!? (If you know nothing of Zermatt, I would have hoped by now you would do a little research on the net or something, but it's in Switzerland.) But yeah, we were going to ski into Italy. I couldn't believe it. And part of the reason that we had to leave so early in the morning was because it takes about an hour to get to the top of the mountain. An hour by high speed gondolas and lifts. Baby, this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone, that's for sure.
I rented my equipment, and we were off. The whole way up (which consisted of three different lifts - all gondolas/space pod looking things) we had to carry out skis. There were so many people, by the end of the hour, I was getting a little sick of going in those gondolas. I couldn't wait to actually DO something. Oh yeah, and in Canada they have dinky tags you hang from your zipper flap right? Here, they give you a card (credit card sized) which has a bar code that you have to scan to go on lifts and stuff. Hi-tech. I had the top of the line "International" pass, so I basically had free reign over everything available to me. We finally get to the top (thank goodness, I was feeling a little ill in the last gondola because we were standing up for what seemed like forever, and the thing was so ridiculously packed. We put our stuff on (I'm skiing).
I'm actually pretty nervous. I skied every year up to high school, but didn't really go since then. While you can't really forget how to ski, it still takes a little while to get the feeling back into your legs, and yet again, I must say "this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone". This was the friggin alps! Anyway, I was already in complete awe. I took pictures, we really really giddy, and the people I was with we getting a little bored of my enthusiasm and itching to start skiing. I had to put my camera away for fear that they would leave without me, and I would be stuff on the top of the alps, not knowing where to go. Oh yeah, walking towards the ski shop to rent my stuff, I got my first look at the Matterhorn. It was QUITE spectacular. I didn't loose sight of it for the whole day.
We started going down, me feeling a little awkward on my skis, but still doing pretty well, I thought. We only gone for a bit, and everyone stopped for a little breather. (Also to make sure I was still alive. They'd skied the day before, so they had their skiing legs already, and they didn't really know where my skiing level was.) I asked where Italy was, and was told that we were already there. Darn, there were no flags or anything at the border. I was expecting something cooler. Oh well. I also thing it would be so much more exciting if we had to show our passports at the border. Ha ha ha. Could you imagine?
The conditions were wonderful. Some powder (which I actually don't like too much, because I find it slows you down really suddenly, and throws you off a bit - I think I'm the only person who doesn't like powder), but good. The sun was really really warm as well. Sometimes the wind was really cold though. It really bit into your cheeks. It was so nippy that the plastic on my earmuffs got really brittle, and sadly, just a little bit into the skiing day, they broke. Argh. Oh well, good thing I had my kitty ears hoody. I love that hoody.
I kept my camera in my coat pocket all day so that I could whip it out for quick snaps. I was also skiing with my small MEC pack which had some extra layers, (I actually had to take one off soon after we started,) water, snacks, money, you know, all the necessities. It was fine carrying it around. No problems.
Partway down, we took my lifts up a little bit more, and then skied down and took different lifts up again. It was such a wide range. You could go to so many runs. Each of the lifts takes so long to get to the end. Not because they're slow (they're probably actually faster than anything I've been on), they're just sooo much longer. It was pretty crazy.
I had some freak out moments on some steep parts, and areas that were narrow and crowded, but I'm pretty proud of myself for lasting the whole day of skiing, after not skiing for a long time. And I was skiing on the alps, with wasn't exactly flat. I didn't really have any wipe outs either. Pretty good eh?
One thing I forgot to do was bring Euros with me. So I got a little ripped off in Italy when we stopped for hot chocolate and once again for lunch and I had to pay in Swiss Francs. Oh well. Whatever.
Skiing in areas of shade (where the shadows from the alps fell) was pretty crappy, because it was SO much colder, and because it was so dark. Who knew it made so much of a difference?
My quads and knees were also getting pretty yucked out soon after we started. I'm getting old and creaky. Sigh.
We basically skied from 10am (the time we got off the last gondola going up) to 5pm. By the end I was ready to be done. You know where you get to that point where you're starting to get tired so you know a really bad fall could be in the midst? It's the same with skating too. And I don't think I've ever skied for that long either. And on these kinds of "hills".
After sitting for just a bit in the hotel, we head out again to explore. Zermatt's a pretty cute place. I mean, it's a completely functional little city. Supermarket, stores, post office, churches, schools, the works. It seems pretty cool. I definitely want to explore some more. There was a really chill bar that we went to. Couches, artsy, trendy - you know, the vibe I like. After dinner, we went out again to check out the nightlife (hence me writing this at the time listed above). It was pretty fun. I miss going out. It's fun to do it every so often. It was snowing a little bit when we started coming back to the hotel. I wonder what it'll look like when I look out the window tomorrow morning.
I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe my life. This can only be a dream. A dream come true. I've written so much, but I still don't feel like I've explained the actual affect that being here has made on me. The impact. The "wow factor".
WOW.
I just finished my first day in Zermatt. I arrived here last night (even thought it's Tuesday right now, I still think it's Monday because I haven't gone to bed yet, so the day's still going on), but it was really late, I was tired, and it was so dark that I couldn't really get my bearings or anything. I just went to the hotel, settled in and then went to bed. It didn't help that the plan was to wake up early today. Like, eat breakfast at 8:30am and then head out to the slopes. I'm not a breakfast eater, but I figure that if I'm going to be out all day, I should force myself to eat something. For me to be able to eat in the morning, I need to wake up really early so my body is awake enough to digest the food (or else I get really bad stomach aches). I slept SO comfortably, and unfortunately my wake up call had to ruin it. It was still pretty dark outside as well. Whatever, it was going to be a good day. When I went down for breakfast, I got my first look of outside. I can't even describe it. Directly in front of me (just a little below our hotel) was a town of wooden chalets. In the distance was the alps. Snow covered and fabulous. The sun was shining down on them. I started laughing. I'm not sure why. Maybe because I just couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was tearing because of the sheer "oh my goodness" of it all. I really can't describe how incredible it is here.
The plan of the day was to ski to Italy. Is my life for real?!? (If you know nothing of Zermatt, I would have hoped by now you would do a little research on the net or something, but it's in Switzerland.) But yeah, we were going to ski into Italy. I couldn't believe it. And part of the reason that we had to leave so early in the morning was because it takes about an hour to get to the top of the mountain. An hour by high speed gondolas and lifts. Baby, this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone, that's for sure.
I rented my equipment, and we were off. The whole way up (which consisted of three different lifts - all gondolas/space pod looking things) we had to carry out skis. There were so many people, by the end of the hour, I was getting a little sick of going in those gondolas. I couldn't wait to actually DO something. Oh yeah, and in Canada they have dinky tags you hang from your zipper flap right? Here, they give you a card (credit card sized) which has a bar code that you have to scan to go on lifts and stuff. Hi-tech. I had the top of the line "International" pass, so I basically had free reign over everything available to me. We finally get to the top (thank goodness, I was feeling a little ill in the last gondola because we were standing up for what seemed like forever, and the thing was so ridiculously packed. We put our stuff on (I'm skiing).
I'm actually pretty nervous. I skied every year up to high school, but didn't really go since then. While you can't really forget how to ski, it still takes a little while to get the feeling back into your legs, and yet again, I must say "this ain't Mount St. Louis Moonstone". This was the friggin alps! Anyway, I was already in complete awe. I took pictures, we really really giddy, and the people I was with we getting a little bored of my enthusiasm and itching to start skiing. I had to put my camera away for fear that they would leave without me, and I would be stuff on the top of the alps, not knowing where to go. Oh yeah, walking towards the ski shop to rent my stuff, I got my first look at the Matterhorn. It was QUITE spectacular. I didn't loose sight of it for the whole day.
We started going down, me feeling a little awkward on my skis, but still doing pretty well, I thought. We only gone for a bit, and everyone stopped for a little breather. (Also to make sure I was still alive. They'd skied the day before, so they had their skiing legs already, and they didn't really know where my skiing level was.) I asked where Italy was, and was told that we were already there. Darn, there were no flags or anything at the border. I was expecting something cooler. Oh well. I also thing it would be so much more exciting if we had to show our passports at the border. Ha ha ha. Could you imagine?
The conditions were wonderful. Some powder (which I actually don't like too much, because I find it slows you down really suddenly, and throws you off a bit - I think I'm the only person who doesn't like powder), but good. The sun was really really warm as well. Sometimes the wind was really cold though. It really bit into your cheeks. It was so nippy that the plastic on my earmuffs got really brittle, and sadly, just a little bit into the skiing day, they broke. Argh. Oh well, good thing I had my kitty ears hoody. I love that hoody.
I kept my camera in my coat pocket all day so that I could whip it out for quick snaps. I was also skiing with my small MEC pack which had some extra layers, (I actually had to take one off soon after we started,) water, snacks, money, you know, all the necessities. It was fine carrying it around. No problems.
Partway down, we took my lifts up a little bit more, and then skied down and took different lifts up again. It was such a wide range. You could go to so many runs. Each of the lifts takes so long to get to the end. Not because they're slow (they're probably actually faster than anything I've been on), they're just sooo much longer. It was pretty crazy.
I had some freak out moments on some steep parts, and areas that were narrow and crowded, but I'm pretty proud of myself for lasting the whole day of skiing, after not skiing for a long time. And I was skiing on the alps, with wasn't exactly flat. I didn't really have any wipe outs either. Pretty good eh?
One thing I forgot to do was bring Euros with me. So I got a little ripped off in Italy when we stopped for hot chocolate and once again for lunch and I had to pay in Swiss Francs. Oh well. Whatever.
Skiing in areas of shade (where the shadows from the alps fell) was pretty crappy, because it was SO much colder, and because it was so dark. Who knew it made so much of a difference?
My quads and knees were also getting pretty yucked out soon after we started. I'm getting old and creaky. Sigh.
We basically skied from 10am (the time we got off the last gondola going up) to 5pm. By the end I was ready to be done. You know where you get to that point where you're starting to get tired so you know a really bad fall could be in the midst? It's the same with skating too. And I don't think I've ever skied for that long either. And on these kinds of "hills".
After sitting for just a bit in the hotel, we head out again to explore. Zermatt's a pretty cute place. I mean, it's a completely functional little city. Supermarket, stores, post office, churches, schools, the works. It seems pretty cool. I definitely want to explore some more. There was a really chill bar that we went to. Couches, artsy, trendy - you know, the vibe I like. After dinner, we went out again to check out the nightlife (hence me writing this at the time listed above). It was pretty fun. I miss going out. It's fun to do it every so often. It was snowing a little bit when we started coming back to the hotel. I wonder what it'll look like when I look out the window tomorrow morning.
I can't believe I'm here. I can't believe my life. This can only be a dream. A dream come true. I've written so much, but I still don't feel like I've explained the actual affect that being here has made on me. The impact. The "wow factor".
WOW.
Tuesday, January 25, 2005
Crisp button up shirts
Before I entered the working world, I had a dream. To be the one who wears the crisp shirts or pantsuits. The professional/trendy/stylish/cool/polished looking one.
For some reason I love the look of crisp, well-fitted, button up, collared shirts with pants and a nice pair of heels. I'd love to have a closet full of shirts, neatly pressed, of course. So yeah, that's the annoying part. I have subjected myself to a life of ironing. The things we do to look good.
This weekend I did a little shopping at Nara Camicie. Not a bad store. I bought a (gasp!) red shirt with wide cuffs, that I could use cufflinks for. Maybe I should invest in some cufflinks. How masculine of me to like wearing shirts and pants. And the cufflinks part too. The heels, well, I guess that's different.
For some reason I love the look of crisp, well-fitted, button up, collared shirts with pants and a nice pair of heels. I'd love to have a closet full of shirts, neatly pressed, of course. So yeah, that's the annoying part. I have subjected myself to a life of ironing. The things we do to look good.
This weekend I did a little shopping at Nara Camicie. Not a bad store. I bought a (gasp!) red shirt with wide cuffs, that I could use cufflinks for. Maybe I should invest in some cufflinks. How masculine of me to like wearing shirts and pants. And the cufflinks part too. The heels, well, I guess that's different.
Milan again
As I promised myself, I went to Milan this past weekend. Yet again, I had a wonderful time. It was actually the first time I took off for the weekend on my own and stayed at a hotel by myself, which was quite exciting. I actually didn't get to stay at the same place as last time because it was full (I didn't pre-book). The new place was actually nicer than the last...it was cool to have my own hotel room. (I LOVE staying in hotels.)
I wasn't by myself the whole weekend, some friends happened to be in Milan the same weekend, so I met up with them for a bit. It was nice to be on my own, but also spend time with them, especially since they lived in Milan for a year, so they took me around to some neat places.
Things of note this time around:
1. Went to a football (read: soccer for all you North Americans) game. Inter Milan vs. Chievo. Apparently, one of the worse attended games ever. Too bad. The stadium was enormous. I was quite giddy, because it was just so impressive and the fanatics were really entertaining as well. The final score was 1-1, and I was actually disappointed with the post goal celebrations of the home team/crowd. Basically, there were none! I mean, if the fanatics spent the whole game singing and chanting, why wouldn't they go crazy when a goal was actually scored? I was confused. Favs of the experience, seeing the many riot police (and secretly hoping that something crazy would go down), hearing the fanatics warming up their lungs as we were approaching the stadium and seriously thinking that it was a recording being projected over the sound system and going up the "towers" to the seats. I hope to go to another crazier game soon!
2. Milan has recently gone smoke free indoors. This seems like a pretty big deal seeing that it's Europe, and smoking is more accepted in society. I won't complain though, because it really was nice to enjoy, for example, a smoke-free meal and not having to air out my clothes later that night. Although, walking on the streets and in the stadium I was back to holding my breath.
3. Bloor St./Yorkville will never be the same again. I spent some alone time wandering the Via Montenapoleone area. It's a lot bigger than what I experienced the first time I was there, making the Toronto equivalent just not as exciting as it used to be. It was strange to see multiple D&G's, Gucci's, Prada's, LV's, Armani's, etc etc ETC within a couple blocks. And they weren't little boutiques each. They were full out stores. There was an Armani superstore. It took up the entire block and was its own department store. I'd say it's the size of Holt's on Bloor. It contains Men's, Women's, Children's, Home, Eyewear...I could continue on. It was UNREAL. I had a "I can't believe my life" moment, which I haven't had in quite awhile. (I wonder why?) I mean, I was strolling through the streets of Milan, looking at designer stores...it actually made me wonder if I do want to return to Toronto at some point. Shocking, I know, because my plan has always been: return to Toronto to carry on my "normal" life. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on that subject now. There's no point. Back to the wonders of Via Montenapoleone. I was actually too scared to go into any stores in the area. On Bloor, I feel like (this is going to sound really really weird, but...) I'm a different person, or that I'm putting on an act. It's my release. My make-believe land. My happy place. I wasn't completely able to be like that this time in Milan, so I couldn't bring myself to go into any stores. Not a bad thing (I'm not good at explaining this), but just how it was at that moment in time. I was quite satisfied with looking through windows. Next time perhaps I go in. Oh, and it was incredible to see the designers that I'd only read about or seen on TV in person. Sigh, it was fab.
3. Milan could be my bag city. I've acquired another one. It's a pink, sequined monstrosity and I love it. Cronch, remember we saw it, but I didn't want to dish out the cash for it...well, I did this time (sale!). Mom and dad, it matches my belt exactly. It was actually quite a successful shopping weekend. Two pairs of shoes, the bag, a jacket, shirt, and errr...some other stuff.
4. Shopping is basically the reason I went right?!? Well, not completely, I mean I wanted to get away and stuff like that, but it just so happened that it's sale season. Sales are fab.
5. Some restaurants have "happy hour". This means, if you buy a drink (alky or non) you can visit the little appetizer buffet at the bar for free. Tapas bar I think it's called?!? In Italy it's fine, because people don't abuse it. They just take a couple snacks and that's it, but I could see restaurants in North America going bankrupt if they started the same thing.
6. I like using the metro (read: subway) system in different cities. I think I'm pretty good at figuring them out and I just like the fact that if you go the wrong way, who cares, just get off and then try again. I know lots of people who are so nervous to go on the wrong train and stuff, but what's the point of stressing? If you're in a rush, fine, but if not, it's just another experience if you go the wrong way.
This is getting long. My attention span is fading. I think that's all I want to say right now.
I wasn't by myself the whole weekend, some friends happened to be in Milan the same weekend, so I met up with them for a bit. It was nice to be on my own, but also spend time with them, especially since they lived in Milan for a year, so they took me around to some neat places.
Things of note this time around:
1. Went to a football (read: soccer for all you North Americans) game. Inter Milan vs. Chievo. Apparently, one of the worse attended games ever. Too bad. The stadium was enormous. I was quite giddy, because it was just so impressive and the fanatics were really entertaining as well. The final score was 1-1, and I was actually disappointed with the post goal celebrations of the home team/crowd. Basically, there were none! I mean, if the fanatics spent the whole game singing and chanting, why wouldn't they go crazy when a goal was actually scored? I was confused. Favs of the experience, seeing the many riot police (and secretly hoping that something crazy would go down), hearing the fanatics warming up their lungs as we were approaching the stadium and seriously thinking that it was a recording being projected over the sound system and going up the "towers" to the seats. I hope to go to another crazier game soon!
2. Milan has recently gone smoke free indoors. This seems like a pretty big deal seeing that it's Europe, and smoking is more accepted in society. I won't complain though, because it really was nice to enjoy, for example, a smoke-free meal and not having to air out my clothes later that night. Although, walking on the streets and in the stadium I was back to holding my breath.
3. Bloor St./Yorkville will never be the same again. I spent some alone time wandering the Via Montenapoleone area. It's a lot bigger than what I experienced the first time I was there, making the Toronto equivalent just not as exciting as it used to be. It was strange to see multiple D&G's, Gucci's, Prada's, LV's, Armani's, etc etc ETC within a couple blocks. And they weren't little boutiques each. They were full out stores. There was an Armani superstore. It took up the entire block and was its own department store. I'd say it's the size of Holt's on Bloor. It contains Men's, Women's, Children's, Home, Eyewear...I could continue on. It was UNREAL. I had a "I can't believe my life" moment, which I haven't had in quite awhile. (I wonder why?) I mean, I was strolling through the streets of Milan, looking at designer stores...it actually made me wonder if I do want to return to Toronto at some point. Shocking, I know, because my plan has always been: return to Toronto to carry on my "normal" life. Anyway, I don't want to dwell on that subject now. There's no point. Back to the wonders of Via Montenapoleone. I was actually too scared to go into any stores in the area. On Bloor, I feel like (this is going to sound really really weird, but...) I'm a different person, or that I'm putting on an act. It's my release. My make-believe land. My happy place. I wasn't completely able to be like that this time in Milan, so I couldn't bring myself to go into any stores. Not a bad thing (I'm not good at explaining this), but just how it was at that moment in time. I was quite satisfied with looking through windows. Next time perhaps I go in. Oh, and it was incredible to see the designers that I'd only read about or seen on TV in person. Sigh, it was fab.
3. Milan could be my bag city. I've acquired another one. It's a pink, sequined monstrosity and I love it. Cronch, remember we saw it, but I didn't want to dish out the cash for it...well, I did this time (sale!). Mom and dad, it matches my belt exactly. It was actually quite a successful shopping weekend. Two pairs of shoes, the bag, a jacket, shirt, and errr...some other stuff.
4. Shopping is basically the reason I went right?!? Well, not completely, I mean I wanted to get away and stuff like that, but it just so happened that it's sale season. Sales are fab.
5. Some restaurants have "happy hour". This means, if you buy a drink (alky or non) you can visit the little appetizer buffet at the bar for free. Tapas bar I think it's called?!? In Italy it's fine, because people don't abuse it. They just take a couple snacks and that's it, but I could see restaurants in North America going bankrupt if they started the same thing.
6. I like using the metro (read: subway) system in different cities. I think I'm pretty good at figuring them out and I just like the fact that if you go the wrong way, who cares, just get off and then try again. I know lots of people who are so nervous to go on the wrong train and stuff, but what's the point of stressing? If you're in a rush, fine, but if not, it's just another experience if you go the wrong way.
This is getting long. My attention span is fading. I think that's all I want to say right now.
Thursday, January 20, 2005
I said I wish I could sing
...so here's a little ditty for you:
"I'm going to Milano, gonna spend me a lotta Euros..."
Peaches/Euros...Tomayto/Tomahto...why can't we all get along?!?
Come to think of it, I never did write about my trip to Vienna. Maybe I'll do that after I get back from Milan.
"I'm going to Milano, gonna spend me a lotta Euros..."
Peaches/Euros...Tomayto/Tomahto...why can't we all get along?!?
Come to think of it, I never did write about my trip to Vienna. Maybe I'll do that after I get back from Milan.
I wish
...that I could be in a musical theatre show.
I just got back from a wonderful little performance. It was basically three British, but French speaking ladies singing French and English songs. But the way they did it was so funny, and just made me smile. It was a wonderful way to end a pretty stressful week for me. There was live piano accompaniment as well.
I was just a fabulous, relaxing and uplifting 1.5 hours of my life. It really made me smile. I haven't felt that ____ feeling that I got so often near the beginning of my adventure. That's not to say that I haven't been enjoying myself lately, I just haven't had that ____ feeling in awhile.
I just got back from a wonderful little performance. It was basically three British, but French speaking ladies singing French and English songs. But the way they did it was so funny, and just made me smile. It was a wonderful way to end a pretty stressful week for me. There was live piano accompaniment as well.
I was just a fabulous, relaxing and uplifting 1.5 hours of my life. It really made me smile. I haven't felt that ____ feeling that I got so often near the beginning of my adventure. That's not to say that I haven't been enjoying myself lately, I just haven't had that ____ feeling in awhile.
Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Yeehaw!!!
We've got Canadian snow!!!
Yesterday afternoon, at around 4:30pm is started snowing. Fluffy flakes. Continuously drifting downwards from the sky. It was fabulous.
And it kept snowing on and off until now!
I woke up this morning to a white, winter wonderland. It was like I was at home! A good 5cm stayed on the ground.
On the way to the bus stop (I admit it, I was skipping) I saw people brushing the snow off of their cars, people shoveling their driveways and city workers shoveling the streets.
While on the bus to work, I saw kids having a snowball fight at a local elementary school and dealt with the "winter bus smell" that's just so distinctive of a cold and wet outdoors.
Sigh. Canadian snow is great.
Yesterday afternoon, at around 4:30pm is started snowing. Fluffy flakes. Continuously drifting downwards from the sky. It was fabulous.
And it kept snowing on and off until now!
I woke up this morning to a white, winter wonderland. It was like I was at home! A good 5cm stayed on the ground.
On the way to the bus stop (I admit it, I was skipping) I saw people brushing the snow off of their cars, people shoveling their driveways and city workers shoveling the streets.
While on the bus to work, I saw kids having a snowball fight at a local elementary school and dealt with the "winter bus smell" that's just so distinctive of a cold and wet outdoors.
Sigh. Canadian snow is great.
Tuesday, January 18, 2005
Enough with the Uggs already!
One Ugg, two Ugg, black Ugg, blue Ugg.
...I forget the next line (and I've never seen a red Ugg before). Let me switch it up a bit.
Do you like Uggs here or there?
I DO NOT LIKE Uggs ANYWHERE!!!
I'm disappointed in Europeans. They have jumped on the Ugg bandwagon like there's no tomorrow. Uggs knockoffs are in full effect. There's a reason they're called Uggs. Because they're UGG-LY!!!
They just sound horrible.
Ugg.
They just sound slumpy.
Ugg.
They just sound frumpy...
UGG!
Argue all you want about comfort, but you're the same people who've embraced stilettos and pointy toes!!! Why start being comfortable now?!?
Oh, and is it even possible to walk in the things without dragging your feet?!? They make your feet look like ... oh, forget it! I refuse to spend more time writing about this matter.
...I forget the next line (and I've never seen a red Ugg before). Let me switch it up a bit.
Do you like Uggs here or there?
I DO NOT LIKE Uggs ANYWHERE!!!
I'm disappointed in Europeans. They have jumped on the Ugg bandwagon like there's no tomorrow. Uggs knockoffs are in full effect. There's a reason they're called Uggs. Because they're UGG-LY!!!
They just sound horrible.
Ugg.
They just sound slumpy.
Ugg.
They just sound frumpy...
UGG!
Argue all you want about comfort, but you're the same people who've embraced stilettos and pointy toes!!! Why start being comfortable now?!?
Oh, and is it even possible to walk in the things without dragging your feet?!? They make your feet look like ... oh, forget it! I refuse to spend more time writing about this matter.
Sunday, January 16, 2005
Coupe Neuchateloise
This weekend was the Coupe Neuchateloise. A little invitational skating competition held in town. It was my first chance to judge since leaving Canada. Unfortunately, the year I don't think that I will "officially" be able to judge in Switzerland due to paperwork and stuff like that, but I was able to be the equivalent of a "trial judge" at the competition.
It was an interesting experience.
Quickly, on the judging front, it made me miss judging so much. I can't wait to really have my marks count. I mean, I'm glad that I got to at least trial, but it's just not the same thing. Still, I'm thankful. Oh, and Swiss judges have a different take on judging attire. In Canada we're told to dress warmly (of course), but professionally as well. I don't necessarily dress to the nines, but when on the stand, I feel I'm carrying out a job, and need to dress the part.
The Swiss dress to stay warm, from what it seems. Snowsuits are donned as are these things called "moon boots". No joke. I was in shock when it happened. Think blizzard attire. Quite a contrast from what I'm used to.
Luckily, everything else about the judging was the same, so I didn't feel too out of place.
The competition was cute. Small and drew some local skating clubs. Lots of enthusiasm in the stands and club spirit was great. Each skater was cheered for and after each program, the ice was showered with flowers and other gifts (at one point a bag of candy that was thrown onto the ice exploded and the skater had to pick up all of the individual gumballs that rolled around the rink). The awards presentation was great as well. The medallists didn't actually get medals, but little trophies. On top of that, they each got a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a certificate and a bottle of lotion?!? I guess instead of giving all participants a little thing when they sign-in for the competition, the Swiss load on the gifts at the end. They stand on the podium and the head judge for the event and the president of the host club makes the presentations. Pictures are taken and then the remaining participants are called in order of placement (oh, I forgot to say that the results aren't posted, but are announced during the presentations...so everyone in the competition is standing on the ice hoping that they will get called - hmmm...similar to OUA's?!?). All competitors as they are called with their placing stand beside the podium (in order) after shaking the hand of the top three or doing the three kisses thing. Even the little ones! How different from Canada! Great sportsmanship! Then the judge and president again present trophies, certificates and lotion (but no flowers) to all participants. SO different from home! The kicker. After the final applause, all of the participants take a victory lap around the rink!
All of this hoopla happens for every single event. From tiny tykes, to the big kids.
Makes it more encouraging to compete...you get a big deal made about you even if you come last.
I'm already looking forward to the next competition!
It was an interesting experience.
Quickly, on the judging front, it made me miss judging so much. I can't wait to really have my marks count. I mean, I'm glad that I got to at least trial, but it's just not the same thing. Still, I'm thankful. Oh, and Swiss judges have a different take on judging attire. In Canada we're told to dress warmly (of course), but professionally as well. I don't necessarily dress to the nines, but when on the stand, I feel I'm carrying out a job, and need to dress the part.
The Swiss dress to stay warm, from what it seems. Snowsuits are donned as are these things called "moon boots". No joke. I was in shock when it happened. Think blizzard attire. Quite a contrast from what I'm used to.
Luckily, everything else about the judging was the same, so I didn't feel too out of place.
The competition was cute. Small and drew some local skating clubs. Lots of enthusiasm in the stands and club spirit was great. Each skater was cheered for and after each program, the ice was showered with flowers and other gifts (at one point a bag of candy that was thrown onto the ice exploded and the skater had to pick up all of the individual gumballs that rolled around the rink). The awards presentation was great as well. The medallists didn't actually get medals, but little trophies. On top of that, they each got a beautiful bouquet of flowers, a certificate and a bottle of lotion?!? I guess instead of giving all participants a little thing when they sign-in for the competition, the Swiss load on the gifts at the end. They stand on the podium and the head judge for the event and the president of the host club makes the presentations. Pictures are taken and then the remaining participants are called in order of placement (oh, I forgot to say that the results aren't posted, but are announced during the presentations...so everyone in the competition is standing on the ice hoping that they will get called - hmmm...similar to OUA's?!?). All competitors as they are called with their placing stand beside the podium (in order) after shaking the hand of the top three or doing the three kisses thing. Even the little ones! How different from Canada! Great sportsmanship! Then the judge and president again present trophies, certificates and lotion (but no flowers) to all participants. SO different from home! The kicker. After the final applause, all of the participants take a victory lap around the rink!
All of this hoopla happens for every single event. From tiny tykes, to the big kids.
Makes it more encouraging to compete...you get a big deal made about you even if you come last.
I'm already looking forward to the next competition!
Tuesday, January 11, 2005
I'm going to the Prix!
It's official! I just got off the phone with the Prix de Lausanne folks whom I've purchased tickets for the semis and finals from. I'm SO excited!
Darn the fact that most of the seats were sold to "Friends of the Prix". So slim pickins. Sigh. Still, I guess I shouldn't complain eh?
I'm also excited that I had a good half hour conversation in French with the Prix people. Discussions not just about seats, but other things too...in French!
My French comes in waves. Some days I just ramble eloquently (well, not really), and on other days, I just can't seem to find the words. I'm still proud of myself.
Dad: I have yet to call "you know who", but I will this weekend, I promise.
Darn the fact that most of the seats were sold to "Friends of the Prix". So slim pickins. Sigh. Still, I guess I shouldn't complain eh?
I'm also excited that I had a good half hour conversation in French with the Prix people. Discussions not just about seats, but other things too...in French!
My French comes in waves. Some days I just ramble eloquently (well, not really), and on other days, I just can't seem to find the words. I'm still proud of myself.
Dad: I have yet to call "you know who", but I will this weekend, I promise.
Monday, January 10, 2005
One of these things is not like the other...
Downhill skiing
Tennis
Boxing
Football (err, soccer for the North American folk)
Speed skating
OR
Sumo wrestling
...
Actually, it's speed skating. The rest are part of the regular lineup on the EuroSport channel on TV. Who knew some of those sports were so popular here in Europe...ummm...especially SUMO?!?
Tennis
Boxing
Football (err, soccer for the North American folk)
Speed skating
OR
Sumo wrestling
...
Actually, it's speed skating. The rest are part of the regular lineup on the EuroSport channel on TV. Who knew some of those sports were so popular here in Europe...ummm...especially SUMO?!?
Saturday, January 08, 2005
When in Neuch and needing a Canadian fix
I've been craving chicken. Chicken wings. I've been able to indulge twice since being here. In two places you would never imagine being satisfied with chicken wings at.
1. McDonald's
2. Vienna
Yes, I know.
Thing is, chicken's not really the meat of choice here. In Canada it seemed like chicken was the staple meat. If you go to a big catered meal, chicken's going to be featured on the non-vegetarian entree. Here it's a little different. I'm all pork and beefed out.
Seafood's as common as it is in Canada (always a couple choices on menus), but to fill in the chicken void, there's a good mix of duck, rabbit and horse.
I enjoy duck. It's tasty.
Rabbit and horse I actually tried on the first day we went to the caf. I had horse stew and tried a little bit of a friend's rabbit. I haven't had either since. I'm willing to try most things, and they were both edible, but since there are other options always available to me, like I said, I haven't had either again. They just aren't as tasty.
Horse was a really tough beef-like meat. But with a different taste (no, it didn't taste like chicken).
Rabbit was sort of duck like in consistency, but with a different taste again.
Oh yeah, the Canadian connection. The horse they serve here is from Canada. Giddy up!
1. McDonald's
2. Vienna
Yes, I know.
Thing is, chicken's not really the meat of choice here. In Canada it seemed like chicken was the staple meat. If you go to a big catered meal, chicken's going to be featured on the non-vegetarian entree. Here it's a little different. I'm all pork and beefed out.
Seafood's as common as it is in Canada (always a couple choices on menus), but to fill in the chicken void, there's a good mix of duck, rabbit and horse.
I enjoy duck. It's tasty.
Rabbit and horse I actually tried on the first day we went to the caf. I had horse stew and tried a little bit of a friend's rabbit. I haven't had either since. I'm willing to try most things, and they were both edible, but since there are other options always available to me, like I said, I haven't had either again. They just aren't as tasty.
Horse was a really tough beef-like meat. But with a different taste (no, it didn't taste like chicken).
Rabbit was sort of duck like in consistency, but with a different taste again.
Oh yeah, the Canadian connection. The horse they serve here is from Canada. Giddy up!
Thursday, January 06, 2005
A thought
Will I really be doing the same thing for the next 42 years of my life?
It doesn't seem possible. I thrive on change and pushing myself to the next challenge. What is my next move?
42 years is a long time.
It doesn't seem possible. I thrive on change and pushing myself to the next challenge. What is my next move?
42 years is a long time.
...
On Wednesday, January 5th, 2005 at 12 noon, Europe held 3 minutes of silence for the victims of the Tsunami Disaster in Asia.
Since the earthquake, I've tried to figure out if or how I would address this issue on my blog. I am still no closer to the answer, except that my fingers seem to be typing something at this very moment.
Do what you think best for yourself in this situation. Everyone has their own way of dealing with an event like this, and for some reason, I do not feel like listing possibilities or anything like that in this forum. I think that's for you to decide what to make of everything.
I've never been really good at realising the enormous effect/affect something like this has, especially when it doesn't directly effect me. I know of ~35 people (personally) that were in Thailand during the holidays who were luckily no in harm's danger, but did have to alter some of their plans and have heard talked to people who know of people in area who still aren't accounted for, but somehow in my genetic makeup I remain the same.
Still, I know I don't need to say it (because you'll do whatever you want), but..ummm...do whatever you want.
Since the earthquake, I've tried to figure out if or how I would address this issue on my blog. I am still no closer to the answer, except that my fingers seem to be typing something at this very moment.
Do what you think best for yourself in this situation. Everyone has their own way of dealing with an event like this, and for some reason, I do not feel like listing possibilities or anything like that in this forum. I think that's for you to decide what to make of everything.
I've never been really good at realising the enormous effect/affect something like this has, especially when it doesn't directly effect me. I know of ~35 people (personally) that were in Thailand during the holidays who were luckily no in harm's danger, but did have to alter some of their plans and have heard talked to people who know of people in area who still aren't accounted for, but somehow in my genetic makeup I remain the same.
Still, I know I don't need to say it (because you'll do whatever you want), but..ummm...do whatever you want.
Tuesday, January 04, 2005
By request...
Taken from some quick research
************
Global Good Luck Traditions for New Year's:
...here's a look at a good luck ritual from one part of the world. It is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.
AUSTRIA - The suckling pig is the symbol for good luck for the new year. It's served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs. Dessert often consists of green peppermint ice cream in the shape of a four-leaf clover.
************
aaah. It all makes sense.
************
Global Good Luck Traditions for New Year's:
...here's a look at a good luck ritual from one part of the world. It is believed to bring good fortune and prosperity in the coming year.
AUSTRIA - The suckling pig is the symbol for good luck for the new year. It's served on a table decorated with tiny edible pigs. Dessert often consists of green peppermint ice cream in the shape of a four-leaf clover.
************
aaah. It all makes sense.
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