Saturday, April 26, 2008
Final Day
Well, today is our last day here...back to work on Monday. Time certainly does fly when you´re having fun -- i think I could get used to swimming in the ocean every day.
With a majority of our trip successfully behind us, we ran into some problems at our last destination, Manuel Antonio National Park, a gorgeous pacific ocean beach town and forest. Our hotel room was broken into...initially we thought they hadnt taken anyhing, as most of our valuables were locked in the safe. Turns out they took my entire schoolbag / backpack, including lauras ipod and...both sets of our apartment keys. Ya, probably wasn{t the smartest move having them both in one spot...
Luckily Laura was smart enough to make an extra set before we left...trouble is, the extra set is at her lab, and we dont have the keys to get INTO her lab....hopefully we;ll get something sorted out before Monday. Well stay at her parents place tonight, so everything should be all good!
With a majority of our trip successfully behind us, we ran into some problems at our last destination, Manuel Antonio National Park, a gorgeous pacific ocean beach town and forest. Our hotel room was broken into...initially we thought they hadnt taken anyhing, as most of our valuables were locked in the safe. Turns out they took my entire schoolbag / backpack, including lauras ipod and...both sets of our apartment keys. Ya, probably wasn{t the smartest move having them both in one spot...
Luckily Laura was smart enough to make an extra set before we left...trouble is, the extra set is at her lab, and we dont have the keys to get INTO her lab....hopefully we;ll get something sorted out before Monday. Well stay at her parents place tonight, so everything should be all good!
Labels: Costa Rica
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monte Verde
Just a quick update today from Monte Verde, a small mountain town near a gorgeous wilderness reserve. We had an early morning and took a van for a half hour or so to a lake, where we were boated across to jeeps that carried us up through these insanely steep and rugged mountain "road" to Monte Verde. We did a hike through the park today and Laura and I spotted 4 monkeys, and some very interesting birds including one called a "quetzal" -- huge tails!
We've got a big day tomorrow, ziplining through some primary forest -- apparently these ziplines are totally crazy - one is > a minute and a half at 55km/hr. Hopefully we'll be able to take a picture or two.
Pura vida!
We've got a big day tomorrow, ziplining through some primary forest -- apparently these ziplines are totally crazy - one is > a minute and a half at 55km/hr. Hopefully we'll be able to take a picture or two.
Pura vida!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Costa Rica!!
Oh baby! We`re in Costa Rica, day two of the trip, and loving it! We had a long day yesterday, flying from Toronto at 6am -- at the airport around 4. Flew to Miami then down to San Jose CR. The weather´s been wet and rainy so far, but the group we´re travelling with is terrific, and the country is really quite something. It´s remarkable how different it is, yet how much its the same - pizza hut, quiznos, budget rent a car...this internet cafe has the same phone laura and I have at home.
San Jose is quite chaotic and busy, and obviously Spanish has been a bit of a challenge...the one phrase i practiced (ordering a beer) has come in quite handy.
We travelled by bus today up to La Fortuna, this town at the base of an active volcano. A bit touristy, but nice. I´ve been eating casados, as Dick and Simon recommended -- beans and rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tonight we´re off to a hot spring, then off to volunteer at an animal refuge in the morning and rapelling down waterfalls in the afternoon. Hopefully the weather clears up - a bit rainy today.
More to come!
San Jose is quite chaotic and busy, and obviously Spanish has been a bit of a challenge...the one phrase i practiced (ordering a beer) has come in quite handy.
We travelled by bus today up to La Fortuna, this town at the base of an active volcano. A bit touristy, but nice. I´ve been eating casados, as Dick and Simon recommended -- beans and rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Tonight we´re off to a hot spring, then off to volunteer at an animal refuge in the morning and rapelling down waterfalls in the afternoon. Hopefully the weather clears up - a bit rainy today.
More to come!
Labels: Costa Rica
Thursday, April 17, 2008
A few things....
i) Sens lost last night, swept out of the playoffs...like usual. Last year was quite an anomoly, they're right back to their regular choking ways. Good stuff boys, enjoy the golf.
ii) Dickie was down basically all last week selling BBQ Islands at the Toronto Home Show. From what I understand, they were actually very successful and sold a good number. Laura and I dropped in on Sunday to check them out, and to be honest I'm actually quite convinced! I'd been very skeptical and kinda poo-pooing the notion of a $10-$30k BBQ. But when you see those bad boys in real life, I can see how the rich and famous would want one in their back yard. Dickie was good fun to have around and a terrific house guest -- I think Dave has domesticated him.
iii) It was my birthday last week. A bunch of us went out for dinner to a semi-swanky place( can you say 2 for 1 coupon ). Really terrific food - 4 courses and you could choose from different options for each course, so basically everyone had their own custom combinations. Also, thanks to everyone for my fun gift cards (Bulk Barn and funding for a baking / chocolate class!). You guys rock : )
iv) I leave for Costa Rica tomorrow! I'm very excited...I think we started packing early enough that there shouldn't be any panic attacks tonight, and everything's mostly all ready to go. I'll hopefully take lots of good pictures! Laura bought me an underwater camera and snorkeling gear : )
ii) Dickie was down basically all last week selling BBQ Islands at the Toronto Home Show. From what I understand, they were actually very successful and sold a good number. Laura and I dropped in on Sunday to check them out, and to be honest I'm actually quite convinced! I'd been very skeptical and kinda poo-pooing the notion of a $10-$30k BBQ. But when you see those bad boys in real life, I can see how the rich and famous would want one in their back yard. Dickie was good fun to have around and a terrific house guest -- I think Dave has domesticated him.
iii) It was my birthday last week. A bunch of us went out for dinner to a semi-swanky place( can you say 2 for 1 coupon ). Really terrific food - 4 courses and you could choose from different options for each course, so basically everyone had their own custom combinations. Also, thanks to everyone for my fun gift cards (Bulk Barn and funding for a baking / chocolate class!). You guys rock : )
iv) I leave for Costa Rica tomorrow! I'm very excited...I think we started packing early enough that there shouldn't be any panic attacks tonight, and everything's mostly all ready to go. I'll hopefully take lots of good pictures! Laura bought me an underwater camera and snorkeling gear : )
Labels: Birthday, Costa Rica, Dickie, Restaurants, Sens
Monday, April 14, 2008
Ottawa for the Suck
Man, the Senators have truly managed to make a crock out of this playoffs...
The first game was just a dismal blowout from start to finish. The second game they had a real fighting chance, tied it at 3-3 then let in 2 goals in the last minute of the game to lose 5-3. Way to go boys.
Tonight they finally had Alfredson back and played a terrific first period, just overpowering the Pens and really fighting for every puck. All the determination and hard work finally paid off early in the 2nd with a go ahead 1-0 goal....and that, that right there was when the team packed up and went home.
Usually when you score you get momentum and really pick up your play. Naw, not the Ottawa Senators...no, they turned the puck over 6 times in the 2 minutes after their goal, so not surprisingly it was 1-1 shortly thereafter, and stayed that way for the rest of the 2nd. Third Period, Sens are at home...going to dig deep...and let 2 crappy goals in within the first minute and a half of the 3rd. Yup, game over, playoffs over.
Good work boys, thanks for another terrific regular season and complete choke of a playoffs. What happened to the team that *finally* for once did well in the playoffs last year? Jeez, I feel like I'd even be better off cheering for the Leafs/
The first game was just a dismal blowout from start to finish. The second game they had a real fighting chance, tied it at 3-3 then let in 2 goals in the last minute of the game to lose 5-3. Way to go boys.
Tonight they finally had Alfredson back and played a terrific first period, just overpowering the Pens and really fighting for every puck. All the determination and hard work finally paid off early in the 2nd with a go ahead 1-0 goal....and that, that right there was when the team packed up and went home.
Usually when you score you get momentum and really pick up your play. Naw, not the Ottawa Senators...no, they turned the puck over 6 times in the 2 minutes after their goal, so not surprisingly it was 1-1 shortly thereafter, and stayed that way for the rest of the 2nd. Third Period, Sens are at home...going to dig deep...and let 2 crappy goals in within the first minute and a half of the 3rd. Yup, game over, playoffs over.
Good work boys, thanks for another terrific regular season and complete choke of a playoffs. What happened to the team that *finally* for once did well in the playoffs last year? Jeez, I feel like I'd even be better off cheering for the Leafs/
Thursday, April 10, 2008
Free Mach 3 Razors
Yo Peeps. I found a coupon on the intrawebs for free Mach 3 razors.
1 Free pack of mach 3 - worth $14.
Sweet sweet free stuff....my very favourite!
1 Free pack of mach 3 - worth $14.
Sweet sweet free stuff....my very favourite!
Remember Me
I found a link today to this "documentary" website that chronicles a young family's struggles dealing with the illness and loss of a parent.
Here's the site
It's not especially flashy or glossy, but really hit home with me so I thought I'd share it -- just one more reminder how incredibly lucky we all are to be as healthy and fortunate as we are...but reminded me how fragile it all is, and how quickly health and life can disappear.
On a slightly happier note, tomorrow's my birthday! I've got a dinner date planned with Muriel, Frank, Dickie and Sara at 5th Element. That, only only 6 days to Costa Rica!
Here's the site
It's not especially flashy or glossy, but really hit home with me so I thought I'd share it -- just one more reminder how incredibly lucky we all are to be as healthy and fortunate as we are...but reminded me how fragile it all is, and how quickly health and life can disappear.
On a slightly happier note, tomorrow's my birthday! I've got a dinner date planned with Muriel, Frank, Dickie and Sara at 5th Element. That, only only 6 days to Costa Rica!
Totally Incredible
This vid made me chuckle -- this is some of the most hard core Running Man action I've ever seen.
Incredible! from kwest on Vimeo.
Incredible! from kwest on Vimeo.
Labels: Running Man
Tuesday, April 08, 2008
Sensational?
After a fantastic start to their season, the Sens absolutely fell apart over the past two months, winning only 14 of their last 39 games, and being shut out 5 of their last 20. Not exactly an impressive set of stats.
Luckily, they managed to qualify for the playoffs though(juuuust barely!), and face the Pens in the first round, starting Wednesday. I expect 50% of my available free time over the next 2 weeks to be dedicated to watching Sens games.
The other 50% of my time will be spent getting ready for Costa Rica! Laura and I leave on the 18th and are there for 9 days or so. We were out at MEC last night getting a new lockable, travel backpack and some other goodies like a fleecy top for me! I'm definitely getting excited, but my spanish is still pretty rusty.
Luckily, they managed to qualify for the playoffs though(juuuust barely!), and face the Pens in the first round, starting Wednesday. I expect 50% of my available free time over the next 2 weeks to be dedicated to watching Sens games.
The other 50% of my time will be spent getting ready for Costa Rica! Laura and I leave on the 18th and are there for 9 days or so. We were out at MEC last night getting a new lockable, travel backpack and some other goodies like a fleecy top for me! I'm definitely getting excited, but my spanish is still pretty rusty.
Labels: Costa Rica, Sens, Spanish
