Four Points By Sheraton Edmonton South

... Canadian Football League) match between the Edmonton Eskimo's and the Calgary Stampeder's (bitter rivals), I little realised just how much there was to do in Edmonton. After a lovely meal of salad and BBQ'd salmon (on cedar planks), Dana's Aunt Jude turned up and after a little persuasion agreed to come camping with Dana and I to Jasper.

Next day after much organising and packing, we eventually left Edmonton a little after midday with everything bar the kitchen sink and drove ...

... freezes as hard as rock.

Winter camping
I wanted to experience some winter camping, although I was sensible enough to wait for what passes for spring in Alberta. I was cautious too - pitching my tent close to the car in case of emergencies. That was where my good sense stopped.

I went out to Elk Island, which was still mostly buried under knee deep snow at the end of March. Because I was only going for a night I cooked dinner before I left, but packed ...

... were driving yesterday, out in the middle of nowhere, when it told us to turn left, follow a road, then turn left back onto the highway. We figured there must have been some construction there when the maps were issued 'cause there wasn't anything there - the right roads were - but there was no reason to leave the main highway. And this afternoon coming into Edmonton, the GPS got us onto Hwy 16A correctly heading east but ...

... The peer-pressure gets to you and you give in And marry someone Who you get along with but never did get those sparks and passion you dreamed of when you were younger. I'm sorry if Anyone Sees this as an attack of how they live there life, It is not. The point of this Is just to say Live your life And be happy Whatever way that may be, Societies definition and assumed happiness rarely materializes into happiness Now I'll admit i've gained my cynical ...

... and downtown Edmonton. Very nice couple that treated us like royalty even though they had only met Pooh once. We had good food and great conversation. After a few hours we left to go back to the RV for the night. Lucky for me the TomTom GPS unit was working pretty well, unlike the Yukon and Alaska. We zipped around town like we knew what we were doing. Back at the RV, we took the dogs for a walk and got a little sleep kinda early since we had an early appointment for the truck in the morning.

... the plane....he thought that was a nice gesture....but unnecessary....fine I said but hey walk and talk buddy....time is a wasting....I actually think we might make it out of this god forsaken airport. But alas my hopes were in vane. Seems that in the over 6 hours that we were waiting....nobody even tried to clean up the vomit in the aisle....we can't board till it is cleaned up. Kinda funny at this point....the crowd was definitely getting restless. Now this is where ...

... are becoming two peas in a pod though and I can't even tell you how cute that is. If only humans were so open. The weather has gotten colder and it has prevented me from going to my fav festival of the Edmonton, Heritage Days. I was miserable and rainly and windy and cold today. I refuse to brave the elements just for a taste of what I have already known. So maybe if tomorrow is better, I may try. Otherwise, it looks like I will miss it this year. Grateful for magic buttons.

... it locks. Being locked out in the cold (and it wasn't a nice day...and I was only wearing a tees shirt) on the 20th floor is not the best situation. Luckily, with the technology of cell phones, I was able to call my mum who gave me the phone number of the building manager. I was a little embarrassed when he had to come in my front door to see me peering in through the glass covered in goosebumps. But all is well and now I know not to ...

... thing is that I have realized that happiness and contentment are my natural state. So when something is out of line with that thread of being then its like a wakeup call. And over the years, it has become more fine tuned. I hear it faster, louder and it the sharpness of the warning signs are almost enough to jolt me back on track. Almost. There is still a bit of legwork to be done. Grateful for red flags.

... some research to do!), teaching some English, and debating and helping out with current policy changes/new systems designed to meet the health needs of the lower-class Chinese. So while it's not exactly working with women's groups as I had expected, it still seems like quite a good placement where I will be able to help out and learn an awful lot at the same time. The fact that it is a military university will only add to the intrigue I'm sure. Check it out at: http://www.fmmu.edu.cn