Thursday, November 27, 2008
I fail.
Yesterday was blood donation day with work. I'd finally worked up the courage to do this, although I was pretty tense and nervous on the way there with the other 12 peeps from the office.
I managed the finger prick thing ok ( although even this was a major accomplishment for me), filled out their little survey...and got rejected by the nurse who asks you all the awkward questions about sex with men.
No, no, it wasn't any of THOSE questions that did me in, it was Costa Rica! Yup, apprently according to Blood Services it's on their Malaria "no go" list, even though the travel clinic doctor we saw before the trip told us we wouldn't need any shots as there was only one small area of the country (on the coast we didn't visit!) that had some malaria. So, I didn't get to donate : (
Even worse though...of the 13 people who went SEVEN got shot down. Everything from Travel(Mexico, Morocco, India, etc) to low iron, and even a "pulse that's too high".
I understand the need for rules, but with the amount of travel people do these days, a full 1 year wait after a trip to just about anywhere seems harsh.(seriously, I eventually found the list of no go countries on their website, and there's easily 150 no go countries) Obviously it's all about safe vs sorry, but it's too bad they aren't better able to test / screen the blood once you've donated...presumably odds of any of the travel folk actually HAVING come in contact with malaria is seriously low.
I managed the finger prick thing ok ( although even this was a major accomplishment for me), filled out their little survey...and got rejected by the nurse who asks you all the awkward questions about sex with men.
No, no, it wasn't any of THOSE questions that did me in, it was Costa Rica! Yup, apprently according to Blood Services it's on their Malaria "no go" list, even though the travel clinic doctor we saw before the trip told us we wouldn't need any shots as there was only one small area of the country (on the coast we didn't visit!) that had some malaria. So, I didn't get to donate : (
Even worse though...of the 13 people who went SEVEN got shot down. Everything from Travel(Mexico, Morocco, India, etc) to low iron, and even a "pulse that's too high".
I understand the need for rules, but with the amount of travel people do these days, a full 1 year wait after a trip to just about anywhere seems harsh.(seriously, I eventually found the list of no go countries on their website, and there's easily 150 no go countries) Obviously it's all about safe vs sorry, but it's too bad they aren't better able to test / screen the blood once you've donated...presumably odds of any of the travel folk actually HAVING come in contact with malaria is seriously low.
Labels: Blood, Costa Rica
Tuesday, May 06, 2008
Costa Rica Pictures!
After much waiting and anticipation, Laura's worked her way through our pictures and has photoshopped and organized her favourites! I'm not so savvy with all the latest and greatest web 2.0 technologies, so hopefully I've done this in an easy way for everyone to check things out! Please let me know if you can't access the pictures, or if you have suggestions for better ways to do this in the future....
Our Costa Rica pictures...on flickr!
Our Costa Rica pictures...on flickr!
Labels: Costa Rica
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
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
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
