New York, New York!

Jeff and I decided that we hadn't seen enough of the Canadian winter, so we took a road trip south with 4 other Canucks to experience a New York City snow storm. That wasn't exactly the plan, but cars in the ditch along the highway, ankle-deep slush and torrents of blinding ice pellets in the city make for a good story. On a warmer note, we enjoyed the Broadway performance of Les Miserables, followed by hot chocolate and cheesecake. We also went to church at the Brooklyn Tabernacle (check out Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire by Jim Cymbala). Ellis Island, with its view of the Statue of Liberty, was a fascinating step back into the experience of the immigrants who had to pass through various inspections before being granted entrance to their new home-much like Pier 21 in Halifax. Here are a few photos from the journey. Note: we were much colder than we look and our feet were soaked!

Times Square






Lower Manhatten from the Empire State Building






A quaint cafe in Greenwich Village near Washington Square

A Walk in the Park

On Sunday afternoon, we went for a walk in the park to try out our new camera. The local wildlife was quite willing to join us for some poses.

Western Adventures

While Jeff was speaking in Alberta and New Brunswick with CMI last month, I took a trip to BC to visit my folks (thanks to their Air Miles). Although initially disappointed to not be able to accompany Jeff, I had a delightful trip and Jeff now appreciates my homemaker skills even more.

So while in BC, I decided to face my fear of failure and of ending up in the ER, and I learned how to snowboard, thanks to my teacher-friend who has only gone a few times herself. The first and last time I tried snowboarding was in France about 9 years ago, and I fell and dislocated my shoulder before I even made it up the rope-tow. But with more than half my twenties now behind me, I figured it was time to suck it up and give it a try before I'm any older and feebler.

I also went ice skating, running and biking with my retired and extremely fit mother. I shopped and enjoyed coffee breaks and treats with my dad. I reminisced with my grandmother. Plus, I connected with over a dozen other friends. And since I hadn't been "home" for my birthday in 7 years, I was able to lay heavy the guilt and enjoy pancakes, spaghetti and triple-layer chocolate cake for the occasion, all homemade.

Although excited to be reunited with my loving husband, I was a little teary-eyed leaving beautiful BC for not-so-beautiful-but-learning-to-like-it Ontario. However, Jeff surpised me with 2 nights at a cabin in the country north of Waterloo when I returned. How enchanting and refreshing!
-Jenny