Every Radiant Day

Punjabi swim

2012-01-23T12:55:00.001-08:00

Monday 23 January 2012

I understand that Punjabi is the language of instruction for this class. But every time I walk past this sign, I imagine Punjabi-style swimming, probably some kind of Bollywood synchronized-swimming. It would be gorgeous!

Surrey

2012-01-22T12:53:00.000-08:00

Sunday 22 January 2012

I always think I'm going to get great photos when we go out to Surrey to visit cousins, yet I never do. Here's the view from the top of their street.

Snowflower

2012-01-21T12:49:00.000-08:00

Saturday 21 January 2012

We had a warm week followed by a snowy week, this is the result.

I wonder what "snowflower" would be in Elvish? Probably something lovely.

Yes, you have to go to school

2012-01-20T12:45:00.000-08:00

Friday 20 January 2012

Every time it snows in Vancouver, the whole city pretty much shuts down in a panicked whimper. I went online to check an assignment today, and found out that every time it snows, even just a little bit, my school posts a weather advisory. Just to remind people that even though there is a half-inch of snow on the ground, yes, you still have to come to class.

Happy car is happy

2012-01-19T12:42:00.000-08:00

Thursday 19 January 2012

Bootprint

2012-01-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 18 January 2012

Whoosh!

2012-01-17T12:37:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 17 January 2012

So, Ryan saw an awesome photo taken from the front of a Skytrain here in Vancouver, and I thought I'd try to duplicate the effect. It needs work, and you might see something similar again, but still pretty cool, huh?

I love that the trains here are remotely operated, and you can sit right up in the front and watch them zoom through tunnels - I always try to sit in the first seat.

Wait, did I just move to Canada?

2012-01-16T12:35:00.000-08:00

Monday 16 January 2012

This is Vancouver! It's not supposed to snow!

Wreathed in cuteness

2012-01-16T12:33:00.000-08:00

Sunday 15 January 2012

Finished a new baby hat today!

The edge of the city

2012-01-14T12:31:00.000-08:00

Saturday 14 January 2012

The light was just amazing today, in and out of the clouds. We've had such a nice, warm week!

Broadway and Cambie

2012-01-13T12:29:00.000-08:00

Friday 13 January 2012

I have long wanted to get a photo from Cambie, looking down on the city. The views are lovely, but I never seem to capture it. Hopefully you'll be seeing a better photo of this in the future.

Michigan dog

2012-01-12T12:24:00.002-08:00

Thursday 12 January 2012

This is the Michigan dog at Dunn's, a famous Montreal smoked meat restaurant here in town. Now, at every poutine and steamies place in town (Quebecois food), they offer a Michigan dog. I finally had to try one out. It seems that it is just a chili dog. I asked why it's called a Michigan dog, and the answer I got was: "Well, Michigan is close to Montreal, and . . . philly cheese steak, things like that." Ha! That made my day, anyway. Canadians can't really point fingers at Americans for having bad geography or cultural understanding, I guess!

Now where is that lipstick?

2012-01-11T12:23:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 11 January 2012

I love statues that look like people sitting on benches.

Rare sight

2012-01-10T12:20:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 10 January 2012

Blue skies, smiling at me . . .

Moss

2012-01-09T19:28:00.001-08:00

Monday 9 January 2012

I love all the moss here - it feels so lush and cozy.

Ukranian Christmas

2012-01-08T19:24:00.002-08:00

Sunday 8 January 2012

Yesterday was Ukrainian Christmas, and today we had a giant Ukrainian dinner at our friends' house. They made borscht and perogies, and bought cabbage rolls. It was delicious - we stuffed ourselves yet again. Will I ever eat a reasonable amount of perogies? And this, by the way, is some of the best borscht I've ever had.

Boundary Bay Bald Eagle

2012-01-07T19:18:00.001-08:00

Saturday 7 January 2012

Ryan and I went down to Boundary Bay to see the snowy owls today. Every five or six years the lemming supply on which they feed goes through a natural decrease, and they come winter in Vancouver. We saw three of them (they're white on the brown marsh, and so rather easy to spot) but none of my photos turned out well. So, here's a bald eagle instead - we saw about a dozen of them.

Nelson Street Firehouse

2012-01-06T19:14:00.000-08:00

Friday 6 January 2012

Today is Epiphany, the last day of Christmas. I've been meaning to take a photo of this lovely old firehouse near us for several weeks now, so I figured I'd better get it tonight before they take down the lights.

Peek-a-boo

2012-01-05T19:12:00.000-08:00

Thursday 5 January 2012

Rain on the window

2012-01-04T19:09:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 4 January 2012

First Nations

2012-01-03T19:01:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 3 January 2012

For all my American readers, here in Canada the correct term for most native people is First Nations. The four-part circle in the middle is a medicine wheel, a symbol sacred to the First Nations peoples around here. Four in general is an important number - four seasons, four directions, etc. I saw this on the beach this morning - I love stumbling across lovely little expressions like this.

Car plug

2012-01-02T17:35:00.000-08:00

Monday 2 January 2011

It is so cold for so long in Saskatchewan and that people have to plug in their cars. If you don't have a block heater in your engine, you likely won't be able to start your car many a winter morn.

Almost the queen

2012-01-01T17:28:00.000-08:00

Sunday 1 January 2012

Every year on the first of January the Lieutenant Governor's mansion is open to the public. The honorable Dr. Gordon L. Barnhart is the provincial representative of the Queen, and quite a snazzy dresser. We took a tour of the house and museum and also drank a glass of the Queen's sherry. Pretty good New Year's day, huh?

Snow cone

2011-12-31T17:27:00.000-08:00

Saturday 31 December 2011

I'm not sure if these kids were just too lazy to make a real snowman, or if the snow was too powdery for any kind of shaping.

Down the street

2011-12-30T17:24:00.001-08:00

Friday 30 December 2011

Well, we got our white Christmas, and it's not too cold here in Regina. A perfect visit home!

A little overboard

2011-12-29T17:23:00.000-08:00

Thursday 29 December 2011

A house in Regina that went a little overboard with the inflatable decorations.

Della's surprise

2011-12-28T17:20:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 28 December 2011

Tonight was the surprise 60th birthday party for Della, a close family friend of the Birds'. Here is her surprise face - and yes, she was actually shocked and didn't have a clue, despite months of preparation.

Saskatchewan

2011-12-27T17:18:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 27 December 2011

This photo was taken about ten minutes away from where Ryan grew up. He loves these prairies, although I still feel a little overexposed on them. I can see the beauty, though, in the simplicity and big skies.

Rider gnome

2011-12-26T17:16:00.000-08:00

Monday 26 December 2011

We're in Roughrider country here (that's the local football team, by the way), and you can purchase any kind of Rider-themed merchandise you can possibly imagine. Suspenders, baby clothes, trailer hitch covers, shower curtains, and yes, even garden gnomes.

The Birds' tree

2011-12-25T17:14:00.001-08:00

Sunday 25 December 2011

St. Basil's

2011-12-24T17:12:00.000-08:00

Saturday 24 December 2011

This is the inside of St. Basil's Ukrainian Catholic Church in Regina, Saskatchewan. We attended midnight mass there tonight - it was a long and boring affair, but at least we got to stare at this wonderful iconoclast!

Baby headband

2011-12-23T17:08:00.000-08:00

Friday 23 December 2011

About six months ago Ryan decided he'd like to learn to knit. So, I set him up with the basics and he chose a headband for a friend's baby for his first project. It was supposed to be ready in time for the Pride Parade (in August) . . . he just finished it today. (It didn't take him that long, he just kept forgetting about it.) Ah well, it looks lovely oh him, don't you think?

Electric mail

2011-12-22T17:07:00.000-08:00

Thursday 22 December 2011

Go, Canada Post!

Mindful

2011-12-21T17:04:00.001-08:00

Wednesday 21 December 2011

Ryan and I went to a Solstice Lantern Festival tonight. It was rather disappointing and there were only a few "lanterns" (this display among them), but we had a nice night out, ran into some friends, and enjoyed the walk up there.

Royal Fever

2011-12-20T17:03:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 20 December 2011

Festive window

2011-12-19T17:01:00.001-08:00

Monday 19 December 2011

We may not have yards here in the big city, but we still love to decorate!

Creche angel

2011-12-18T13:13:00.000-08:00

Sunday 18 December 2011

Everyone brought their creche sets into church today, and set them up in the front. It was nice to see such different sets, and from all over the world, too. I think this one was from Guatamala.

Science World Free Day!

2011-12-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

Saturday 17 December 2011

Ahhhhh! Run!!!! There's a dinosaur in the museum! Don't just stand there gawking, get out of here!

Kindy singing

2011-12-16T13:03:00.000-08:00

Friday 16 December 2011

Today was the Christmas party, so the kids all sang the songs they'd been practicing for their parents. Adorable.

Reel Big Fish

2011-12-15T13:07:00.000-08:00

Thursday December 2011

Concerts are so hard to photograph. This one was a ton of fun to attend, though!

Cookie trays

2011-12-14T13:05:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 14 December 2011

This year's cookie trays, ready to be given to friends. The goodies: sugar cookies, coffee toffee bars, almond snowballs, peppernuts, chocolate-covered pretzels, and sweet 'n spicy nuts.

The Sun building

2011-12-13T13:02:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 13 December 2011

Clam chorus

2011-12-12T13:00:00.000-08:00

Monday 12 December 2011

The Christmas window display at a local cooking supply store - anamatronic clams singing the Hallelujah chorus. I love it.

Gingerbread contest

2011-12-11T12:58:00.001-08:00

Sunday 11 December 2011

All the contestants of a gingerbread house contest are displayed at a local hotel. There were bigger, more elaborate, and more realistic ones than this one, but this was my favorite. Simple, elegant, traditional, yet still exquisite.

Our tree

2011-12-10T12:54:00.000-08:00

Saturday 10 December 2011

There was a potted bush on the balcony when we moved in, and we figured it would make a lovely Christmas tree this year.

The island nears

2011-12-09T12:53:00.000-08:00

Friday 9 December 2011

It's pretty rare that you can see the mountains on Vancouver Island so clearly.

The stars of St. Paul's

2011-12-08T12:51:00.001-08:00

Thursday 8 December 2011

The hospital down the street is doing renovations, and so is covered with scaffolding. For Christmas, they covered the scaffolding with all kinds of gorgeous Christmas lights, brightening the whole block.

Canada Place . . .

2011-12-07T12:49:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 7 December 2011

. . . is all dressed up for Christmas.

Pictures for me

2011-12-06T12:46:00.001-08:00

Tuesday 6 December 2011

It's been nice working in a kindergarten classroom again. And now that the kids have gotten to know me, they're drawing pictures for me, which is one of my favorite parts of being a teacher. These are Christmas presents just for me.

Christmas garden

2011-12-05T12:44:00.000-08:00

Monday 5 December 2011

Remember that humming bird from a few days back? Well, now the person who takes care of this little median garden has decorated it for Christmas!

It's Santa!

2011-12-04T12:43:00.000-08:00

Sunday 4 December 2011

The Santa Parade was today, right after my final exam for the year. What a nice afternoon!

A day at Vanier Park

2011-12-03T12:39:00.001-08:00

Saturday 3 December 2011

All the museums at Vanier Park in Kitsilano had a special on today - five dollars for admission to several places. We saw the Maritime museum, the Science museum, the Planetarium, the Vancouver archives. This picture is from an exhibit on neon in the Vancouver museum. It used to be the most popular method of advertising in Vancouver, and covered city streets.

It's beginning to look . . .

2011-12-02T12:37:00.000-08:00

Friday 2 December 2011

One of Vancouver's best-known symbols, the seawall inuksuk.

Urban hummingbird

2011-12-01T12:35:00.000-08:00

Thursday 1 December 2011

A local resident keeps one of the little median gardens growing and decorated, which is such a nice touch, making the neighborhood that much brighter.

Seawall

2011-11-30T18:57:00.002-08:00

Wednesday 30 November 2011

I jog on the seawall three days a week (working my way up to 5K!) and it drives me crazy that I always see such beautiful shots when I'm running and don't have my camera. I even saw a bald eagle perched on a rock just off shore one morning! So today I decided to put my little old camera in my pocket, and was rewarded with this lovely photo.

BC's setting sun

2011-11-29T18:54:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 29 November 2011

The boys

2011-11-28T18:51:00.000-08:00

Monday 28 November 2011

Ryan's brother and three of his friends were here all weekend for the Grey Cup. I couldn't resist posting this neat picture of them on their way to the game, all done up in their Rider gear.

It was quite interesting, to see everyone dressed up in their own football team's colors, even if they weren't playing. Green was second only to orange (the Lions' color) -- the Roughriders definitely have a very loyal fanbase!

Go Lions Go!

2011-11-27T18:48:00.000-08:00

Sunday 27 November 2011

Ryan is a big CFL fan, so months ago, when we learned that the Grey Cup would be in Vancouver, we bought tickets. Ryan was really hoping his Saskatchewan Roughriders would make it, but no such luck this year. Instead, we got to watch our home team, the BC Lions, win! (A much better party, I think!)

HMCS Regina

2011-11-26T18:45:00.000-08:00

Saturday 26 November 2011

It's Grey Cup (Canadian Super Bowl) weekend here in Vancouver, and there's a ton of parties and activities going on. Her Majesty's Canadian Ship Regina is in town, and was giving tours to the public today. It was awfully rainy, but I think it made for a nice picture of this compass-thingy.

Unlikely berries

2011-11-25T18:43:00.002-08:00

Friday 25 November 2011

Finally, a sunny day!

All the leaves are down now, and things look pretty wintery. So I was quite surprised to come upon this tree with all its leaves, and whose bright orange berries made it look like it was in full bloom. I don't know what kind of tree it is, but I want one in my backyard!

Japadog!

2011-11-24T18:40:00.000-08:00

Thursday 24 November 2011

Finally tried Japadog, a really famous Japanese hot dog place here. They serve high-quality dogs with Asian toppings. This one has mayo, hot sauce, onions, and seaweed. It was amazing.

November sun

2011-11-23T18:37:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 23 November 2011

We got a little peek at the sun today. But we're in the middle of the rainiest month of the year, and, frankly, could use a bit more sunshine.

Misty surprise

2011-11-22T18:36:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 22 November 2011

A lovely surprise was just waiting for the right building to be demolished.

Red and Green

2011-11-21T18:34:00.002-08:00

Monday 21 November 2011

Sea to Sky

2011-11-20T18:32:00.000-08:00

Sunday 20 November 2011

On the way home from Whistler.

(I'm having fun fiddling with some of my photos lately!)

The rings

2011-11-19T18:29:00.001-08:00

Saturday 19 November 2011

Ryan and I were up in Whistler this weekend, helping a friend put together a photo scavenger hunt. We had a good time, despite some differences in artistic scavenging opinion.

Here are the Olympic rings, from the Winter Olympics last year.

Snowfall

2011-11-18T18:26:00.002-08:00

Friday 18 November 2011

We had the first snowfall of the year here. Luckily, this is temperate Vancouver, meaning the snow didn't stick downtown. I took this picture when I went south to Langara College to take a math placement test.

Still, I hope we don't see too much more of this this year - I'm a thin-blooded Vancouverite now, after all.

A dozen twins!

2011-11-17T18:20:00.000-08:00

Thursday 17 November 2011

Okay, remember a few days ago when I was so impressed to have gotten two twin eggs in a row? Turns out the whole dozen eggs were twins. Amazing, huh? Luckily, I got a photo of this one!

Luo PinXin, our handsome mayor

2011-11-16T21:46:00.004-08:00

Wednesday 16 November 2011

All the politicians and real estate agents here have Chinese names, no matter their ethnicity. In a city like Vancouver, it just makes sense. I wonder how they choose them?

Watch out!

2011-11-15T21:44:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 15 November 2011

Cranberries

2011-11-14T21:30:00.000-08:00

Monday 14 November 2011

Tons of cranberries are grown here in B.C. Unfortunately, it's hard to get a hold of them, due to the fact that most of them are sold to juice companies like Ocean Spray. Ryan and I managed to get a hold of some while over on Vancouver Island, and have been slowly baking them into delicious things.

Five pin

2011-11-13T21:23:00.001-08:00

Sunday 13 November 2011

Went to a friend's birthday bowling party today. If you look closely, you can see that this is five-pin bowling, which is much more common than ten-pin here in Canada. I find it less satisfying (no giant crashes where tons of pins fall), and the smaller ball is hard to hold on to. But still fun with friends!

Double twin bread!

2011-11-12T21:19:00.001-08:00

Saturday 12 November 2011

So, I was making some delicious cranberry bread for a friend's brunch tomorrow. I cracked an egg, and was super excited that it was twins! Okay, took a picture and stirred it into the butter/sugar mixture. Cracked the next egg, and it was twins, too! I wish I hadn't already mixed in the other one, but ah well. I took another picture and decided to practice collages in Picasa.

And yes, the "Double twin bread" was quadrupally excellent.

Remembrance Day

2011-11-11T21:17:00.000-08:00

Friday 11 November 2011

The Remembrance Day (Veteran's Day) ceremony here in Vancouver.

dpn

2011-11-10T21:16:00.000-08:00

Thursday 10 November 2011

Doing a lot of knitting lately.

Autumn

2011-11-09T21:15:00.000-08:00

Wednesday 9 November 2011

Floor on floor

2011-11-08T21:12:00.000-08:00

Tuesday 8 November 2011

In the Central Library.

Poppy

2011-11-07T21:05:00.001-08:00

Monday 7 November 2011

In the week or so leading up to Remembrance Day (Canadian Veteran's Day) everyone here wears poppies on their lapel to commemorate the veterans. And I mean, really almost every single person you see on the street.

Many of the Canadian WWI dead are buried at Flander's Fields, and now the poem "In Flanders Fields" has become so popular that it is what most Canadians associate with Remembrance Day. The poem begins "In Flanders fields the poppies blow/Between the crosses, row on row," hence the poppies worn on the lapel.

Styling 'stash

2011-11-06T21:03:00.000-08:00

Sunday 6 November 2011

Ryan's best friend M, looking awfully dapper.

(Okay, the photo's from yesterday, but we saw M today, too!)

Prairie Fairie Fowl Supper

2011-11-05T20:58:00.000-07:00

Saturday 5 November 2011

A fowl supper is a traditional harvest supper on the Canadian prairies. I attended my first tonight, although I think it was far from traditional. It is a fundraiser for charities helping people with AIDS and gay highschoolers, it was hosted by a drag queen, and it was nautical-themed so Ryan and I dressed as Popeye and Olyve Oyl. Yeah, not exactly what you'd find in small-town Saskatchewan.

There was dancing after dinner, so here's the dance floor.

A moment of sun

2011-11-04T20:55:00.001-07:00

Friday 4 November 2011

The flag on the left is British Columbia's - I love the sun on it.

Fishy stencil

2011-11-03T20:52:00.000-07:00

Thursday 3 November 2011

Lovely little bit of graffiti on the road.

Towering

2011-11-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 2 November 2011

I ran upstairs to see the touch of pink on the tops of the mountains today. I love the way a clear day reminds me the city is so much tinier than the mountain.

Arrival times

2011-11-01T20:46:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Not all bus stops have these, but they're awfully handy when you see them. Fancy, huh?

Bidwell Street

2011-10-31T20:43:00.000-07:00

Monday 31 October 2011

I love fall in Vancouver - the leaves are much more dramatic in the city.

Yaletown

2011-10-30T20:41:00.000-07:00

Sunday 30 October 2011

Technically after midnight, here is a view from the balcony at the Halloween party we went to.

Halloween

2011-10-29T20:38:00.001-07:00

Saturday 29 October 2011

Here we are, Dorothy and a tornado! Dorothy was quite the popular costume this year - Ryan met five or six others.

Waiting

2011-10-28T20:00:00.000-07:00

Friday 28 October 2011

There are nearly always dogs tied up outside the grocery store waiting for their owners. It's nice - I like stopping to say hello.

Latte

2011-10-27T19:57:00.000-07:00

Thursday 27 October 2011

I was supposed to be writing a paper in the coffee shop today, but instead I was taking pictures of my latte and thinking up unconnected sentences on my topic.

Sylvia

2011-10-26T19:53:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 26 October 2011

The Sylvia Hotel, around the corner from our place, is a local landmark. The whole building is covered in ivy - it was gorgeous a week or two ago when it was all flaming red. I rather liked these gradations of color, though.

Kindergarten classroom

2011-10-25T19:50:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 25 October 2011

It feels so good to be back in a kindergarten classroom! :)

(Even if it is just volunteering a few times a week.)

Fall in the city

2011-10-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

Monday 24 October 2011

Vancouver and her cloud

2011-10-23T19:45:00.001-07:00

Sunday 23 October 2011

A view of the city as we approached on the ferry. Sure does make you feel small.

A few minutes after taking this photo, a pod of pacific white-sided dolphins passed us, jumping and playing. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen; unfortunately I didn't get any good photos of them.

View from Comox

2011-10-22T19:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday 22 October 2011

The view from friends of our friends' house. Quite nice, huh?

Courtenay church

2011-10-21T19:40:00.000-07:00

Friday 21 October 2011

Ryan and I are visiting friends on Vancouver Island this weekend. This is a lovely old church (now theater, I think) in their town.

Leaves (on) the Trees

2011-10-20T19:38:00.001-07:00

Thursday 20 October 2011

We're having such a lovely fall.

The Nelson Street Gnome

2011-10-19T19:33:00.000-07:00

Wednesday 19 October 2011

A little surprise for those who look closely as they walk down Nelson St. A little gnome lives here!

Explosion

2011-10-18T17:15:00.000-07:00

Tuesday 18 October 2011

Amazing Laughter

2011-10-17T17:07:00.001-07:00

Monday 17 October 2011

One of the statues in a wonderful piece of art around the corner from our house: "Amazing Laughter" by Yue Minjun. It makes me smile every time I walk past.

Lovely street

2011-10-16T17:05:00.000-07:00

Sunday 16 October 2011

A lovely building I passed on my way to church this morning.