Heading out to the lake

A friend and I went ice fishing the other day. The lake was pretty remote so we had to ski in and out. This is the rather unflattering photo my friend took on the way in. Still I look better than I did 30 minutes later after I had fallen over a couple of times. You may be wondering where all our gear is. In fact my friend was pulling it all behind him on a sled and yet he still managed to out ski me. Still, you have to admire my orange beanie (or toque as they call them here) personally hand knitted by my wife no less.

Whistler Inukshuk

Originally used by the First Nations peoples, the inukshuk (much like its European sibling - the cairn) is a group of carefully balanced rocks, sometimes taking the form of a person, which signifies an important location for utilitarian or symbolic reasons. We found this one at the top of Whistler mountain last summer.

Big Tree Trail

After shovelling another 12 inches of snow off the drive this morning I find myself reminiscing back to last summer. We had a fabulous holiday in Tofino on Vancouver Island. Meares island is a short boat ride away from Tofino where you can explore the ancient rainforest of giant redwoods and cedars and get right up close to nature.

The world's largest...

This is a curious North American phenomenon. Many small towns on major highways seek to boost their visitor numbers by installing huge versions of everyday objects by the roadside in an attempt to "put themselves on the map". For your perusal please witness "The World's Largest Nordic Skis and Poles" (allegedly) at 100 Mile House off Highway 97, British Columbia.

Jasper Autumn

My parents visited us in Canada for the first time in September. It was a good trip and nice for them to see where and how we live. We managed to spend a few days in Jasper while they were with us. Jasper and the surrounding area are beautiful in the autumn, a lovely time of year and one of my favourite places to visit. We stayed in a hotel by Pyramid Mountain just outside town and were rewarded with views like these each morning.

Snatching defeat from the jaws of victory

There are a few glum faces around the department today. The male staff in the department left promptly yesterday to join most of Canada in watching "The Big Game" on TV- Canada vs Russia in the Gold Medal final game of the World Junior (!) Hockey Championship. Apparently Canada looked strong going into the third and final period 3-0 ahead only to choke spectacularly eventually losing the game 5-3. You can read about the game here:

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/world-juniors/canada-suffers-epic-collapse-in-world-junior-final/article1859366/

Hockey is as as popular here as football and cricket is to the English, hence the glum faces. All that national pride and expectation resting upon a small number of individuals only to end in disappointment. To the English this experience is so familar we even have a popular phrase for it.

PG Lego Club Extravaganza

Just before Christmas, the Prince George Lego Club has it's annual event. Members can submit their entries to the off-site building competition. Our rather macabre family entry this year was this seasonal scene on the theme of transportation. Clearly appealing to the darker side of the judging panel, we scooped first prize.

Happy New Year 2011

Happy New Year to you all. I hope you all managed to get some time off and a bit of a break. Apologies to those who were unable to open our Christmas newsletter attachments. To be honest, you didn't miss much but for those interested I have posted the contents in this entry. My primary resolution this year? To post regularly and to get things started, you have may have noticed the format has changed a little. Good luck to you all in 2011.

Chui Family Christmas News 2010

Things keeping us busy this year:

Karenza

Volunteering at the Salvation Army Food Bank

Beaver Scout Leading

Cross-country skiing

A re-awakened love of knitting (New!)

Book club (New!)

Victoria

Violin and Orchestra

Guides

Volleyball (New!)

Downhill Skiing

Library Book Club (New!)

Shyr

Ice fishing

Cross-country and downhill skiing

The Canadian Radiology Board Exams (passed)

Trying out my new canoe (New!)

Trout fishing

Dinghy sailing (New!)
Radiology course in Las Vegas (ahem)
Trip to Jasper with my Mum and Dad (New!)

Daniel

Downhill Skiing

Piano Lessons (New!)

Beaver Scouts

Lego

Street Hockey

The Family
A lovely summer break in the UK
A family holiday on the Pacific coast in Tofino
Weekends in Vancouver and Whistler

Canadian Permanent Residence Status (granted)