Last week was school Spring Break so the we all flew down to Vancouver for a city break. There was lots of shopping and fine dining and a trip to the science museum. Purely by coincidence it was "Macaron Week" in Vancouver. I wonder who decides these things. The City Chamber of Commerce? The Mayor? or perhaps the Local Guild of Patissiers? (Is there even such a thing?). 
I'm back at work, and people are being very nice to me. Someone even baked me a cake to say "Welcome Back" or "Has Balls" or something like that. Still the sentiment was there and it tasted good so who am I to complain?
The Art of Skiing from Extreme sports - HD videos on Vimeo.
What I ended up with...
If you've been reading K's blog you may have come across odd rumours pertaining to myself on the subjects of "skiing accident", "spinal fracture" and "surgery" all of which are unfortunately true. I'm glad to say that I've now recovered after 7 weeks off and am now back at work and doing most things again. Recovery takes time and I shan't be skiing again this season but hope to next. Now I'm back at work, I shall be posting more regularly.
It's so cold. The thermometer is reading -26 deg C but the extra tinest bit of wind makes it feels like -40 on your face. Everyone has plugged their cars in at work today (every space has a socket for your engine block warmer). Anyone who has forgotten to do this won't be driving home tonight because their car won't start. And when you do start driving home you can feel the frozen tyres with their flat spots going bump bump underneath you.
One of the great things about having ex-pat friends is that you can share useful information regarding the availability of desired foodstuffs. Our friend S recently informed us that imported UK teabags were now available at one of the downtown pharmacies resulting in this life-enhancing purchase above. Despite most things being available here in PG, we have struggled with finding teabags we like and a discovery like this never fails to please.
Today we spent a lovely few hours with our friends who live on a lake to the north of the city. We went ice fishing under blue skies, amidst fresh snow and in -10C degree temperatures. S & B also invited an English family who are in PG for a year on a teacher exchange. 
Last night we took our "traditional" pre-Christmas tour of the Candy Cane Lane section of town. This is where all the houses on three adjacent streets are overdressed with Christmas decorations. We saw lots of Santas, a few Grinches, many Disney characters and many, many garden reindeer. After this we drove up to Connaught Hill where every year, a more formal series of displays are illuminated. We had a hilarious time trying to work out what some of the displays were depicting. We decided the one above was a group of elves, frogs and/or smurfs playing hockey with a spectator either smoking a pipe or playing a violin. Can you suggest a more plausible scenario?
After a promising amount of snow early last week, it rained on Friday and Saturday. The result was thick, horrible, sticky and heavy snow which was a bear to ski on. The kids bravely soldiered on but it was hard work. I was trying out new skis and my third turn of the day had me in a snow bank flat on my face. After a few more runs, we'd had enough, called it quits and came in early for a hot drink and snack.
Shovelled 10cm off the drive this morning. This is after the 5cm I shovelled yesterday. Another 10cm is forecast today. We had 15cm 2 weeks ago so the total this last month is about 30cm with more to come. I'm going to try and keep a tally this year. The positive skiing karma still outweighs the negative shovelling karma so I'm happy. This may change through the season though. And to snow of a different kind, here's this years gingerbread house effort by V and D. I think the snowman is sledding off the roof in case you were wondering.
It's been a busy week. On Sunday we were out with V's friends for her bowling and pizza 12th Birthday party (photo below). On Monday, D and I went carol singing with the cubs around the neighbourhood. Tuesday evening was spent with my Church housegroup volunteering at the local Salvation Army Food warehouse. Last night, my bowling team enjoyed a night off competitive bowling at the league's Christmas "Fun-bowl" (photo above). We go into the holiday top of the league and clear by 8 points. Tonight I get a night off as K is at her Book Club Christmas party. Friday I am on call, Saturday skiing etc.etc...
D's latest craze is the Angry Birds game. He's slowly building up a plush toy collection of said birds and associated pigs. A friend gave him a catapault (called a slingshot here) earlier in the summer and he is now re-enacting the game in real life around the house. He can even play the theme tune on the piano.
It's turned distinctly chilly of late but the fresh snow does make things look beautiful. Here are a couple of pics taken whilst I was out cross-country skiing yesterday.
