Last Night in Canada

It was really strange to go to bed last night thinking this is our last night sleeping in our own beds in our own house for at least 11 months. I was up early and went to visit my Mother one last time before heading out on our noon departure. We chatted for a while and I gave her a big hug before heading back home. Larry and Lorraine were at our house at 9:30 which turned out to be a surprise for Shelley who ran upstairs to shower. Arnita (Shelley's sister and house/dog sitter) had arrived a little earlier.

We did get away at 10 am and dropped Lorraine off home and Larry drove us to the airport. The big guy gave Shelley and me a big hug and we waved goodbye. We were delighted to check in and find our luggage would get routed right through to Kuala Lumpur despite switching airlines from Air Canada to Cathay Pacific in Vancouver. Security was a bit of surprise because I had left a letter opener in my computer bag (my bad) and it turned out I had 8 knives in my carry-on (Shelley's bad). Apparently Shelley thought I was going to check my carry-on. No big deal as they were Walmart specials. It seems it is hard to find knives in Malaysia as everyone eats with spoons/forks or chop sticks.

We immediately headed off to the maple Leaf lounge for breakfast. An hour later and we were boarding. It's getting real now.

Five hours went bye pretty quickly and we landed at 3pm Vancouver time (6pm our time) and Jordan and Lauren picked us up and we headed off to the Airport Elephant and Castle for lunch/dinner. The restaurant overlooks a nice marina so we sat out on the balcony. I immediately recalled our ongoing joke about Doogies imaginary boat.

After lunch we had lots of time to kill so we headed off to Langley (45 minutes) to do a little shopping at Chapters, Shoppers Drug Mart, Dollar Mart (Canada stickers, obviously for Shelley) and Mountain Equipment Sports. It turns out Jordan has discovered hiking and camping and was in the market for a tent for the weekend. We discovered a few that would suit him and he put one on hold for a buddy to purchase (store employee) the next morning.

Jordan then drove us back to the airport for our final hugs and a few pictures. We went though security and found the American Express Premium lounge where we are spending the next five hours (9 pm-2 am) awaiting our boarding time. It's a nice lounge with free food and booze, but best of all napping laz-y-boy chairs.

Shelley is now asleep (9:30 pm Vancouver time, 12:30 am our time). I am sipping a glass of wine and typing this post.

TTYL,

Jim

3 Days Until We are Off!

I have almost completed my list of things to do. It seems really strange to be winterizing your motorcycle in June, especially when it is over 30 degrees. However, the weather is definitely getting us prepped for Malaysia.

Jaime will have to get the license renewed in August as it does not look like I will have time to do it. Oh yes, must remember to change the furnace filter and get 3 spares for when we are gone. Bill, Steve, and Larry all volunteered to help Shelley's sister Arnita with stuff around the house if required. It's really nice to have friends you can count on.

I am not sure how the dog is going to get on without Shelley and I. She really likes her routines like our daily walk after work.

I have received some lovely emails from basketball players who did not make the party this past weekend. It's really nice to hear you made a difference. Thanks to Julie and Tanya.

TTYL

Jim

Great Bball Get Together!

First off, many thanks to Cindy Mar for organizing the event and Paul and Cathy Cotton for hosting it. The desserts were great, provided by Jen and Sonja Rusch.

It was so great to see 3 decades of basketball players all in one place. Memories long forgotten floated into my mind as I recalled players from past teams. The women (I still think of them as girls) seemed so confident and happy. Many of them are moms and there were lots of pictures. The latest mom-to-be was Dorota and her little guy sure was cute (pictures).

I have always thought that sports do build character and here was living proof of it. What an impressive group of young ladies.

I really enjoyed the evening and I can't begin to express how much it meant to me to see you all once again. It was like a trip back in time. The cards, gifts, and most importantly the memories are something I will treasure over the next few years teaching in Malaysia.

When I come back I plan to coach one more team and Coach Brown says he will team up with me once again if it is grade 5/6. I can hardly wait.

Coach Dale

Less than a week!

I am getting worried now. So much to do, so little time. It's definitely better to think of our adventure as an extended vacation. Our daughter Jaime has decided to take a year off university to travel for 4 months and worth for 8 months. She is planning on visiting Australia, New Zealand, and best of all, spending 2 months in Malaysia and neighbouring countries.

The family plans to spend Christmas in Bali.

Today is a basketball get together for Larry Brown and I. Some of the girls (young women now) who played for us are getting together to wish us well in our retirement. It should be a lot of fun.

This post is short as I have to get ready to go to the credit union with Shelley and Jaime to sign a power of attorney in case we need to change our mortgage while we are gone.

Jim

10 days and off to Malaysia

Things are definitely starting to wind down or up, dependent on your view of things. I am pretty sure I have all the legal, accounting stuff out of the way. All bills are automatically deducted from my accounts were possible. Wills and power of attorney will be finalized tomorrow.

The items left to complete are housekeeping. I have arranged for someone to cut the grass while we are gone. I have to buy some supplies such as extra furnace filters, and other consumable items that our house sitter (Arnita) may need.

In a week's time I have to start prepping my motorcycle for an extended bout of no use. I suppose I should put it up on blocks, gas stabilizer, coat of wax, etc. Jaime is taking the car back in September when it is off lease and then will use the suv for the time we are gone. She will have to remember to renew the plates on it in the summer.

It's also time to start putting together a list of things to pack. I have also been online and I have narrowed our choice of building down to two. I still have to decide on health insurance options. That will be teh priority for next week. We have already applied to ohip for coverage while we are working outside the country.

Jim

Retire (Farewell) Party was Fantastic

Thursday afternoon (3:30 - 6:00) was our Farewell party at the CEC for Shelley and me. It started off with a mass celebrated by Father Tom just back from his sabattical in Europe. As always, the mass by Father Tom was wonderful and uplifting. Shelley and I will miss his homilies and joyous spirit while we are away. Larry Brown was the master of ceremonies and the silver-tongued devil was as witty and charming as he always is.

Shelly's ex students had a musical tribute for her and IT, not to be outdone, had Brent skyping in from Calgary to wish us well in retirement. The superintendents, Tom and Denise, spoke eloquently as always. There was much cake, wine, and of course the beer bar manned by the tar benders Doogie and Francis. They even had some 'girlie' beer for me :-)

The evening finished off with a tribute by Becki entitled memories. Becki was in London but had recorded it for Shelley earlier on in the week. I finished off with a "Thanks for the Opportunities" talk thanking many people in the school board for the opportunity they gave me to 'do my stuff'. I think the ivory tower word for it is 'self-actualize'. Unfortunately I missed a slide where I was going to thank my Mother for all her support, my wife Shelley for enabling me, and my two children Jordan and Jaime for being the wonderful children they were and never causing me a moment's grief.

After the Board celebration we headed over to Billy Fox's house where 25 close friends were treated to a great barbecue by Bill and Martha and were then entertained by Joe with many very humorous jokes and anecdotes. I have not laughed that hard in a long time.

All in all, a great night.

Jim

Jordan is Home!

My son Jordan came home yesterday and it is great to have him home. So far he has helped out by taking Missy, our dog to the vet. He also jumped on the motorcycle which is a sure sign he is comfortable driving again.

Two more days to our retirement party.

Jim