After the Rain in My Secret Garden

The last few years I have found a wild orchid hidden amongst the bushes and shrubs. But this year, six wild orchids! They are so lovely and delicate.
I finished my last official class for my MA on Saturday. When all is said and done, I admit to feeling relief. I found the two years personally challenging--not being a  current BC teacher, I felt a little on the outside. But it was a good lesson for me--social lessons are invaluable.
Planning the Malaysian trip. Borneo is out for 3 reasons: threat of kidnapping of tourists in east (where the orangutans live), time is short--two weeks to do the entire Malaysia leaves little time for a trip way across the ocean to Borneo, and malaria threat and other diseases much higher threat in Borneo than in Malaysia. Instead it looks like this:
Singapore--Jungle Railway to Endau-Rompin and Taman Negara (giant national parks for trekking with wild rhinos, monkeys and elephants)--to Perhentian Islands (for a week living on the beach and snorkeling/diving/jungle exploring) and then to Kuala Lumpur and then to Panang to finish our trip--fly home through Hong Kong.
Girls all well. Gearing up for a month of piano recitals and dance recitals. We leave for a family 5 day trip to Vancouver/Victoria on June 5th. We'll stay at Hotel Vancouver and the Empress in Victoria.
I have a tummy bug-- for 3 days now.
Fernando still challenging me. I think I have him all sorted and then he lunges and tries to bite every person on the street that wants to pat him. Oh, he'll sit and put up with the first pat with my insistence and praise but they the person stops patting him and relaxes and that's when he decides to lunge for the fingers and bite. Also, I can never do enough for him. If he thinks his walk was too short, or I left him in the yard too long--in he whips to poop and pee in the house in protest.

The Last Continent

The best movie ever (title above). I love, love, love fantasizing about myself onboard the boat, researching climate change in Antarctica. The crew are all French Canadian. Watch it if you are the type that loves nature and adventure.
Yesterday I felt like I was trudging through Antarctic. SILVERSTAR. Yes, that amazing ski resort located in the Okanagan. The day was insane! The 3 big girls enjoyed their ski lesson, however, the moms had a surreal experience of spending the entire day all decked out in the ski boots and gear yet never quite making it down a run! First of all, Miranda and I tried to find this great chair that had easy runs. We walked for 1/2 hour carrying our skis, through deep snow, up hill to discover we couldn't find the chair. By this time it was time to pick up the kids from lessons. After lunch, Miranda decided to stay with Nem and Tabs on the Magic carpet and help them perfect their skills. Mist and I tried to find the only chair that her lift ticket ( from the morning lessons) allowed her to use. We walked up and down hills, in ski boots, through deep snow, carrying the worlds heaviest skis for over an hour to discover the chair was at the bottom of a steep slope. I was OK as I skied for many years before I took up snowboarding, but this was Mist's first day on skis ever (she's only ever boarded). So Mist got going too fast, lost her poles and ended up in a crying heap at the bottom. I decided the runs were too advanced for her. The only way out of this mess? To walk back, only now we were at the bottom of yet another deep valley. It took us forever climbing back out of that place back to the village. We had to scurry across ski runs, carrying our skis. *shuffle, shuffle, scurry, scurry* "Hurry Mist! Ok , break, we're safe behind a tree. Remember Mist, this is a battle field, we have to get across fast, without getting hit," (by the boarders and skiers sailing over the hill above). *shuffle, shuffle, waddle, waddle scurry*
It seems I walked for about 3 hours up and down snow covered slopes, carrying my skies for the entire F'n day! All I could do was laugh, to prevent myself from crying. I did learn much though. Silverstar is no place for beginners--the magic carpet area is too small and easy and the other runs too bloody far away from the village--you're expected to walk, in ski boots, carrying your skis for an hour! I am taking the girls to Crystal for the rest of the year with special trips to Big White or Sunpeaks to spice things up.
 However, Tabs loves skiing and Mist prefers snowboarding but will give skiing another try. Next time I'm taking Pip out with us. Me? I just didn't get to ski enough to know if I like it or want to board again.
Adventure at every turn...though not the kind you'd expect.
Now, a little about the world's worst dog, FERNANDO! He bolted out of the house this AM, like a little black bat out of hell, and chased the school bus up the street, barking ferociously after it. He refused to come and sent me into the garage to start the van and Peter up the street in his flannel pajama bottoms. As I was driving up the street, Peter arrived with Fernando. He'd finally come to Peter's calls. Thank G! I knew he'd chase that huge yellow bus until it stopped and then proceed to bark ferociously at all the kids, preventing them from getting on the bus and then keep chasing it and eventually get run over.