11-month Brush

After another wonderful supper with Peter and Patricia, our 11-month old Kai prepared for bed.

He'll be brushing his teeth back home soon enough.

I ♥ NY

This morning was a bit of shopping and getting out of the cleaning staff's way. It's been a full week and today is the first time we've had some empty space in our schedule.

I saw this T-shirt and had to shake my head and laugh. Truly, a testament to Newfoundlanders' reaction to McCartneyism (celebrities poking their noses into issues about which they have no clue). Although Paul & Heather McCartney vs. the seal hunt seems different than George Clooney and Darfur.


Rather than risking a ♣ing myself, I opted for an Accordian Revolution T-shirt, having to admit to the sales clerk that I was not a player.

This is Daniel Cook golfing

Recently I decided one of my life's ambitions would be to golf in every province of Canada. Today makes 3: Manitoba, Ontario and Newfoundland & Labrador.

I arrived at Pippy Park intending on golfing the "Captain's Hill" 9-hole course. Mistakenly, I went to the Starter's Hut instead of the Clubhouse, but it worked in my favour. No sooner did I darken the door when the attendant looked at me quizzically and asked, "Kenji?"

Then it was my turn to look perplexed and he (re-)introduced himself, "Steve, from Cochrane!" (As in Cochrane St. United Church, not Cochrane, ON). He suggested that I play the front 9 of "Admiral's Green", a superior course with a mountaintop view of the city and the ocean, and I was able to do so for the same green fee.

Indeed, the view from the 7th tee was spectacular. This image doesn't do it justice, but hopefully you get the picture:
Apparently I was hitting from the same elevation as Cabot Tower and it was a steep drop to the green; carts were warned to test their brakes, as I scrambled down, it felt as my toes would have slid out of my shoes. And I managed par!

Apart from being stuck behind a slow foursome, which easily added a half-hour of waiting to my game, the only drawback was Daniel Cook's theme song running through my head the entire afternoon.

Winds of Change

Our morning expedition was to Cape Spear, the easternmost point of land in Canada (and North America), through damp and foggy conditions. Upon arrival, and as we prepared to disengage the kids from their carseats, the cold and biting wind got the better of us and we changed plans. We returned to St. John's the scenic way, passing through Blackhead, Maddox Cove, Petty Harbour and Bay Bulls. The land and seascapes were incredible to behold and the warming sun brightened through the day.

We motor toured through downtown St. John's, glimpsing Naomi Centre for Women, where Shelley worked in our time here; and looped around Quidi Vidi Lake, glimpsing Quidi Vidi Brewery, whose brews I quaffed in our time here. Although I'm still on the lookout for their "Hibernia Cream Ale" which seems to have been discontinued, they seem to be quite excited about their Iceberg Beer. Maybe it's time for their Honey Brown right now ... pffpt!

Dear 4th Floor:

To our co-habitants on the fourth floor of Ramada St. John's,

Please accept apologies on behalf of our infant son whose cries and wails may have disturbed you last night. Unfortunately, it seems that he was awoken by some people trying to get ice. Perhaps you heard them: "DID YA GET DA ICE? IT'S NOT DERE; YA GOTTA GO DOWN ONE FLOOR. ON DA T'IRD FLOOR. DAT'S WHERE IT IS. WHAT ARE YA, STUNNED?"

Come to think of it, he would have happily slept through the night without that interruption. Perhaps you missed the signage on the back of all our suite doors that pinpoints the location of the ice machines (on the 2nd and 3rd floors only). It's the same sheet of paper that tells us to kindly keep quiet after 11 p.m.

Upon further consideration, we'd like to withold our apologies and replace them with feelings of regret and misgiving - for ourselves.

Peaceably yours,
Kenji

Flipper Dinner

Among the various culinary wonders that Newfoundlanders feast upon, flipper may raise the most eyebrows. The mechanics of softening hardtack for fish and brewis or the dilution process for Jiggs dinner are interesting in and of themselves, but do not quite carry the cachet of eating seal flipper.

For the record, I also have an "after" picture of my duly clean plate.

A View from a Hill

The sun shone, the day was bright. We ascended to our quintessential, must-see attraction of St. John's, the views from Signal Hill: the city, the sea and the Narrows in between.

Shelley and I revelled in the vista, wondering when we would return to take in these sights again. Kai burbled happily to himself and Rei played with rocks.

Grey was the Day

The day dawned grey and damp (another case of RDF, rain-drizzle-fog, while Ontario is on the verge of HHH, hazy-hot-humid, weather - but we're not visiting for the weather), so we decided to confine our activities to some indoor ventures. We went underwater without getting wet at The Fluvarium where Rei initially was keen to see the fish in the deep pools, but the dark exhibit hall kept her enjoying the riffle and shallow pool.


Kai and his fine, fishy friend

Onto some more familiar ground, we shopped at the Avalon Mall where the kids got Newfoundland ABC and 123 T-shirts, appropriate wear for an Early Literacy Specialist's offspring. Our intent was then for a quiet afternoon in our room, but after getting a little stir-crazy, we braved bracing winds at Kenny's Pond Rotary Park for some invigorating outdoor play.


Rei has taken her recreation to new heights.

Killick Coasting: Fish and Ferry

Today featured a mini-road trip around the Killick Coast Trail. Through the countryside of rock and pine, highlighted with some little patches of snow, we zipped through Torbay, Flatrock, and Pouch Cove, with an extended stop in Portugal Cove.

We paused for a wistful moment in the parking lot of the United Chruch and look up the hill to the manse, which was our home for a year. It had a mountain in the backyard, a view of Conception Bay from the living room window, garish colour schemes in the bedrooms, and a dishwasher. Those were the days.

We were delighted to learn our fears that Gordon's Fish & Chips may have closed were misplaced. In fact, his Cozy Corner Cafe has expanded. We dined on delectable cod, encased in light crisp crunchy batter buried beneath chipwagon calibre fries with a tin of [Diet] Pepsi. I was afraid of a letdown, of fond memories and high expectations overwhelming the actual experience. Some things don't change. (Like the graffiti cliffs, apparently the strength of "Holly 'n Paul"'s relationship has not faded one bit).

After the nostalgic lunch, we tended to Rei's desire to go on a boat; just a little over and back on the ferry to Bell Island.

A Grand Day Out

After some "naps" and rest in the afternoon, we ventured out to the cliffs of Conception Bay for a visit with dear friends Peter and Patricia. Their property extends right to the water and the complaint is that sometimes at night, the whales are so loud they can't sleep. What an inconvenience!

Following some floor play with large foam, alphabet puzzle pieces, we went for a walk through the back field to the cliff's edge. En route, we picked up golf balls which evoked a sense of our own backyard for Rei (she's going to think every backyard has golf balls strewn about). Peter shared a story of pirate treasure that had her intrigued and mildly apprehensive.


Some people from church joined us for a delightful supper: smoked salmon, ham, turnip, cauliflower, potatoes, salad and freshly baked bread by Peter. We brought some Pelee Island Dry White, as an offering from Canada's southernmost winery to Canada's eastern edge, and imbibed in some wonderful Newfoundland vintages, again crafted by Peter.

The kids held up very well, energetic and good-natured until dessert (ice cream and strawberries) was finished and we brought our tired ones home/hotel. Now that the kids are asleep, we can finally sneak ourselves some of those peanut butter Smarties that Shelley bought yesterday. Although I'd half-expect the bag to be opened and immediately hear Rei's voice: "What are you eating Mommy?"

If I Knew You Were Coming

Growing up, we had a Sesame Street record that featured the Cookie Monster and the Count singing that if they knew I was coming, they'd have baked a cake (one cake!), baked a cake (2 cakes!), etc.

Shelley and I made our return to Cochrane Street United Church where I did my internship 8 years ago. Not surprisingly, I took part in the worship service, offering the children's story. And not unsurprisingly, I discovered someone in the congregation who knew where Arkona was, she being from Forest.

It was some good to be back; although trying to connect names to all the familiar faces was rather daunting. Rei did very well considering the amount of attention that was directed at her, this being the congregation's first introduction to our kids.

During the "Fellowship Time" afterwards, there was a specially-decorated cake welcoming us back. They knew we were coming and, yes, they baked a cake. (one cake! and its remains are in our fridge, even as I type).

Ramada Zoo

Another hotel adventure accompanied by those new stuffed friends.

At least the beds in this suite are of equal size.

Westjet East

Unsure of how the kids would feel about being confined to assigned seats in a pressurized cabin filled with strangers, they did remarkably well.

I guess it helped that the satellite TV enabled Bob the Builder, Dora the Explorer and Pinky Dinky Doo to join us on our adventure.

Holiday Thrills

We set out on the road to Toronto this afternoon, thus beginning our vacation. Well, Shelley's the one on vacation; for me, it's just a change of scenery.

Stopping for gas and diaper changes at a truck stop outside of London, the kids returned to the car with new stuffed animals. There was the cutest monkey there that was ideal for Kai; and it didn't seem right that Rei had her Pooh bear and he didn't have any cuddly companions.

Then it didn't seem fair that he should get a new toy and his sister didn't, so she got to select a new stuffed friend. Of course, she picks a gaudy pink and white pony with glimmery hooves and a braided mane. There was a perfectly adorable hippopotamus that would have added some variety to our plush menagerie, but no, a "pony with a pony [tail]" was the choice.

It was at that truck stop that we realized we only had one more diaper for each of the kids. We figured we'd buy some in St. John's when we arrived to save luggage space, except we forgot to pack enough to get us to St. John's. At the outlet mall in Cambridge we stopped for McDonald's and diapers. I learned that maybe Kai's chewing skills are not quite up for little pieces of apple yet. I was fingersweeping them out of his mouth before we left; he crammed a lot in there.

The hotel was a big hit. The kids were giddy in their new surroundings: Kai revelled in the curtains and Rei laid claim to the kingsize bed. They were so happy and amazed and delighted, and we haven't done much of anything yet.

Tomorrow morning we fly out as east as you can get in Canada, where more adventures await.

Mowtown Blues

One of my first items to do for the past week was the last to be completed: cutting the grass. Taking advantage of Shelley's folks with us and Grandma watching the kids, I took the mower out for its inaugural spin. It started up impressively, with one pull of the cord and away I went.

During chores such as these, my mind likes to wander. I was thinking about a push mower, how much better for the environment it would be and how much easier it would be to use, instead of filling it up with gas, checking the oil, worrying about waking Kai up when I'm under his window. While thinking such thoughts, the mower sensed my betrayal and quit on me.

I first thought I ran out of gas which usually happens in that portion of my route. But even after I topped up the tank, it sputtered and wheezed which brought Shelley's dad over to take a look.

An esteemed colleague of mine, the Rev. Dr. B_ M_ proclaimed that ordination has emasculated him. I have to agree; it has emasculated him. As for me, I was always an idiot when it came to engines and the like.

Shelley's dad looked a few things over, said something about "carburetor" and "fuel line". We took turns yanking on the starter cord. He looked at air filters and spark plugs and with a magic sweep of his wire brush, the engine roared to life and I was on my way once more.

Good thing he was there, otherwise I would have done what any other minister would do: put the mower away, call the manse committee and wonder "What Would B_ M_ Do?".

Hoops for Two

My last basketball outing was a small-scale affair. I was the only one there for the first 20 minutes, which was fine with me; then some highschool kids showed up and after shooting at our respective baskets for a while, we entered into some 2-on-2.

There can only be so many permutations of pairings. We played games to 11 points - just so we know when we're done, and switched up the teams.

First round was the long hairs versus the shorter hairs, round 2 was the little guys against the tall guys. While the shorter haired and little guys won, it really was about me showing up the young punks how to get it done.

Preparation Preoccupation

Our packing has begun and the to-do lists being written and added onto as we get ready for our eastern odyssey. Transportation and lodging are taken care of, it's just a matter of what Kai will eat, what toys Rei will bring and whatever will we wear?

At some point, it will be too late to worry about forgetting something and having to make do with the resources available to us in Newfoundland. We won't have to pack any Seal Flipper Pie, something tells me that will be waiting for us at our destination.

Rei's Big Day

We had big plans for the day. Rei and I would take Shelley into work, then go for a doughnut at Tim Horton's, we'd then go to the public school where I mentor a boy in Grade 5, then home in time to go to the Early Years Outreach program at the Municipal Building.

Somewhere between Tim Horton's and the school, Rei gave a world-weary sigh and pronounced: "It's been a long day." This before 9 a.m. She had a great time playing with my student buddy (Big Brothers/Big Sisters calls them "mentees" but it sounds too contrived a word for actual use - plus it evokes images of Stellar's Sea Cows and manatees). On the car ride home, a mere 13 minutes, she fell asleep.

We didn't make it to the outreach program but did play in the big backyard until lunch. While Shelley's parents are here, I headed to Sarnia in the afternoon for a bit of shopping and sweet potato fries at Paddy Flaherty's. I picked Shelley up from work and the big day gave way to a not-as-big evening of barbeque, bath and basketball.

A Family Portrait

Rei wanted a picture taken with her Potato Head.

You'll note the arms above the ears. That was only the beginning of the mutations.

Songs in the Key of Kai

Maybe he has his aunt's ear for music.

Or he likes the flashing lights.