Pana-mania

As we get closer to Panama time, we are starting to get a bit clearer idea of what this is actually going to look like. My co-worker sent me a picture of the house she is renting in San Felix. That's the 'city' we will be living in.


Sweet, eh!?!?!
It has everything. Well, except furniture, a fridge, a stove, a kitchen sink...
(Everything but the kitchen sink ;)



Tom and I are super excited about finding a place for us to stay too. My friend is more than excited to have us stay with her if we needed - considering its a bit tricky finding something to rent in a city of 1049! (Well, I guess 1050, now that my friend moved there!)
I've been reading some traveler's blog about the area too. San Felix is just off of the highway that leads from Panama City to David (David is the capital city of the Chiriqui province, which San Felix is situated). Click either of these to see it on google maps:

View Larger Map

View Larger Map

Backpackers have reported that the town has *nothing* in it, but check out the place where they stay (about 15kms down the road - on the ocean front!) If anyone is interested in coming to Panama for a visit - this is where you can stay!

So excited,
so excited!

We will keep you 'posted' as we learn more about it ourselves.

Happy Easter

It may be a repeat, but we just can't say it better than this...



Tom and Candice

Make a Decision

What side are you on?

Are you still waving your palm branches, or are you amongst those in the crowd who have turned their backs? Today is 'good friday'. He died, today. Pegged to a cross, in front of many mockers.

Are you one of them?

Is it time to switch sides?

roundin' the corner

It's that time of year in school. The exact time in the semester when you are tired of the material you are studying in classes, which matches the exact time in the semester when you are required to put in the most effort. This year, 90% of my assignments, exams, group projects, and term papers are due within 4 weeks of each other. Ugh!
Boy, I'm sure glad I haven't been sick over the last two weeks so I could really prepare for this ... ;)

Well, we are now rounding the corner none-the-less. Spanish is on its way starting early May (or so I hope, considering there is a bit of red tape to cross between now and then), so don't mind the Spanish-only posts that will be going up soon. I figure we should all learn it together, comprende?

[(Tom interjecting) As a master's-level dropout, I can say that it's as tough as she makes it *sound*. But she makes it *look* so easy! Y mi no habla espanol.]

Happy Homemaker

I think I can say, in complete honesty, that I've exceeded many people's expectations of my ability to hold down the home as a wife. This isn't a shot, this is reality. If you know me before I married Tom, you would not believe that those meals, produced in that apartment, were mine.

My place used to be a terrible mess. Terrible! I lived like a total bachelor - clothes were all over the floor, dishes were piled up. The kind of conditions that you would seriously have to dig through the clothes on the floor to find something to wear and wash a dish in order to use one.

I distinctly remember the start of a turning point - it was about two years ago. My friend Lyla came to pick me up for a girls day out. She came up to my apartment - something that I dreaded anyone doing! (I would just meet them downstairs so they didn't have to see my sty). When she walked in, she was like, "What!" and I was like, "What?" She told me we need to glorify God in everything we do. Including taking care of our homes. I was like, "Oh?"

Time passed and I still didn't think it was worth the effort. What for, really? Why make the bed if no one is going to know the difference? It's just going to be slept in again the next night. I figured it was a futile effort. And for the clothes? Closets are so hard to see into anyways.

The next distinctly embarrassing moment occurred nearly six months later. On our third date, Tom came to pick me. And, as usual, I met him downstairs (there was no need for him to be subjected to the apartment yet). I jumped into the car and obliviously chucked my jacket over my shoulder in the back seat - then I heard the sound of crunching paper and plastic. He said, shyly, "Those are for you". Huh? Then I looked in the back seat. There lie a bouquet of flowers. "I would have brought them to your door, but you haven't told me what your apartment number is yet." (Little did he know that was for his own safety and the protection of our relationship.) He asked, "Can we put them in some water?" I wanted to melt, for two reasons - he brought me flowers and I was about to be exposed for being a slob.

Oh, nuts!

Not only was my apartment a disaster, but I didn't even own a vase. So I had to oh-so 'classily' put them in a drinking glass (which I had to clean first, of course!) and then had to shove them into the pantry because my crazy (and sometimes smelly) cats would eat them while I was gone out for the evening. Ugh!

Thankfully, he didn't give up on me.
And, thankfully, my cleaning habits have changed.

I now understand the value of a clean home. I think that has changed because now I have a *home*. Before I used to just store my textbooks, cats, and clothes in a hole in the wall that I could afford and try to ensure no one saw it. Now, I have a family to care for and a 'nest' to build. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate all the help I get in keeping our home clean, but cleaning is now a part of caring for my spouse. And, I don't think I'm the only one around here who cleans for that very same reason.

Palm Sunday

Today, approximately two thousand and eight years ago, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey. This fulfilled a prophesy set five hundred years earlier. The people rejoiced at His entrance - fanning Him with palms as a sign of honour and respect. These people, who on this day, rejoiced at his entrance, are the very ones who turn against Him this coming Friday. When things were looking up and life was grand, they figured This Guy is the way to go. They saw hope, victory over their oppressors, and a true king for their lives. Yet, when the tough got going this coming Friday, these are the same ones who turned their backs on 'their king'. We Christians must take an honest look at our lives and ensure that we are not only hailing 'our king' when life is grand, but blessing His name when things get tough. He is hope, peace, and a true king for life. No matter what the circumstance. Every time we turn our backs on Him, we are among those in the crowd who turned their backs this Friday. It is my prayer that every 'good friday', we take a stand against the crowd, and continue hailing our king.

10min Apple Crisp

So, its 1:00am, we are finished watching a movie and I decide "I'm hungry!" So, I ask my dear husband where the apple crisp is that he said he'd make when we were at the grocery store earlier today. He said "I'll be right back." Yeah, right, I thought to myself - its 1:00am, he is going to make one now??? Well, he did - a 10 minute microwave for-when-your-wife-is-hungry-after-a-movie apple crisp.

And, it was good!

We ate it with ice cream, but he didn't make that.
;)

Our 'Buddy'

Hi, I’m Buddy! I’m staying with C&T for a while because I was homeless and left out in the snow for too long -- now I have frost bite! Its not too bad though, the thing is with frost bite, you actually don’t feel anything. I have ‘new’ pads on my paws, the old ones shriveled up and fell off. Now they are pretty pink! Did I mention I have 7 toes on my front paws? Tom says they are kinda freaky, but Candice thinks they're cute.
Something that isn’t cute though, is my tail! The last 3 inches of it really froze. Its turning black! I took a trip to the doctor today about this whole tail issue – they said something about ‘am-pew-waiting’. Candice said I get to go back to the doctor next week for that. I don’t mind the doctor, considering she was the one finally told C&T that I am a girl – so they can quit calling me ‘little-man’ anytime now!

So, aside from my extra toes and crazy tail, I’m pretty good lookin’. I need to hang to those looks you know, otherwise finding a permanent home is going to be difficult.

Check me out!

Uganda?

Another amazing opportunity has been placed in our lives. Our church is sending a team to Uganda for a short-term mission trip this coming January. This opportunity comes at an exceptionally busy yet ‘available’ time for us. As you may know, we are planning to move to Panama next January as well. However, it also means our life will be in ‘transit’ during that time – after my classes are over but before the field study begins, after Tom wraps things up at work but before settling into something new, after we sublet our apartment but before we move down south.

We are weighing this heavily in our hearts and with a lot of prayer. We know from our experiences in Cambodia that short-term missions are exceptionally challenging; physically, emotionally, and, at times, spiritually. We also know from our experience in Cambodia that there are a lot of needs out there. And you have to ask yourself, “Who is supposed to do this work?” Those who are capable? Those who are called?

If those who are willing and able don’t go, then who will?

I'm Trying

The following are lyrics from "Trying" by Lifehouse. They really speak to me, and I thought I should share them with you. Enjoy.
Candice

Could you let down your hair be transparent for awhile?
Just a little while
to see if you're human after all

Honesty is a hard attribute to find
When we all want to seem like
we've got it all figured out

Well let me be the first to say that I
don't have a clue
I don't have all the answers
ain't gonna' pretend like I do

just trying - to find my way
trying - to find my way the best that I know how

Well I haven't memorized all of the cute things to say
but I'm working on it
Maybe I'll master this- art form someday

If I quote all the lines off the top of my head
Will you believe
that I fully un-derstand all these things I've read

I'm just trying - to find my way
trying - to find my way the best that I know how

Well I- haven't got it all figured out quite yet but
even if it takes my whole life
to get to where I need to be

I’m trying

And if I should fall to the bottom of the end
I'll be one step back to you, and

I’m trying - to find my way

Mazda vs. Tercel... Fight!

Model	1992 Mazda 323 Protege	1991 Toyota Tercel DX
Engine	Starts everytime, runs well, unless it is wet outside, in which case it may not start, or will quit suddenly if you take your foot off the gas pedal.	Starts everytime. Runs well. Sporadic issue with revving up and down while idleing. Engine rebuilt within last two years.
Brakes	Perfect.	No problems.
Locks	Automatic. Passenger door lock a little sticky, doesn’t always work. Never locked, no reason to.	Manual.
Body Style	Classic early-90’s sleek-but-boxy sedan.	Bubble-inspired.
Body Condition	Some rust, well-disguised. Hail damage stem to stern.	Rust all over, more near the bottom than the top.
Drivetrain	Driverside cv joint starting to go.	No problems.
E-Brake	Loose, have to really pull to engage.	Not functional.
Lights	Dim, but working. Brights would only engage on occasion.	Very good. One was pointed directly at oncoming drivers, other burnt out (now fixed). Brights occasional do not engage.
Smell	Putrid whenever it warmed up.	Like a pine air freshener. Suspect it may be covering putridness.
Climate Control	Heater blows humid air that fogs windows, requires passenger to roll down window and stick head out door to attempt any safe merging procedure. Air conditioning functional, but takes long time to get cool.	Heat works great. A/C does not exist.
Windows	Automatic. Unfortunately, requires manual assistance to close by pushing up on the window with your hand as you hold the window button.	Manual crank. Works without additional assistance.
Road Noise	Smooth and quiet, except for super-loud, distressing “clunk” coming from driverside rear strut as you pass over any bump if the temprerature is < -5 C.	Constant whir that is proportional to speed, source unknown. Very noisy. Slight rattle as muffler contacts top of speed bumps.
Colour	Gray. Hides dirt well.	White-ish. Shows every blemish. Looks like a snow drift, according to Tiffany.
Age (Calendar)	16	17
Age (Mileage)	299800	238000
Gas Tank	55L capacity. Pull fuel door lever, then fuel door needs to be pried open with key.	45L capacity. Key must be jammed into fuel door, applying pressure, while fuel door lever is pulled (keys fall on ground once open). Fuel tank does not line up with hole in body (held in alignment by gas cap?).
Stereo	Pioneer CD player with two Sony 5 1/4”s. Sweet.	4 speaker tape deck.
Tires	3 good tires. 1 very bald tire, can see through cracks in rubber to radial ply below.	4 great winter tires. 4 good all season tires (total of 8).
Score	9	10

Switcherooo...

Horticulture

Our Blooger colleague, Tiffany, inspired me to go into house-plant horticulture. At the beginning I was a little worried about my novice green thumb. She had an excellent suggestion; take pictres, so if it doesn't go so well switch the "before" and "after" shots and it will look like you saved the plant. Well Tiffany, do I make you proud?


Before:





After:

Law Breakers!

So, I thought to me-self, “Gee, I wonder if my license from Manitoba is still valid?” So I checked. Nope, it definitely isn’t! Apparently it hasn’t been since the beginning of the month. So the nice lady gave me an appointment for a driver’s license exchange on March 16. “Alright,” I says to me-self, “I can wait that long.” (Besides, I like it when my strapping, handsome husband drives anyways.)

So, apparently, I have been driving with an invalid license.

So, then I thought to me-self, “Gee, I wonder how long our vehicle can remain registered and insured in Manitoba, seeing as my license is no longer valid.?” Apparently, you only have 90 days to get your vehicle registered in Quebec before Manitoba’s Public Insurance will no longer cover you.

So, apparently, I have been driving with an invalid driver’s license in an uninsured vehicle for the past couple of weeks. Oops!

So, then I thought to me-self, “What is the process to get our little, old beater of a Mazda registered in Quebec?” I came to learn that it is a simple process - a really simple process that starts with a mechanical inspection. There is no, no, no, way that the Mazda will pass any kind of inspection.

So, apparently, I have been driving without a valid driver’s license, in an uninsured car, that can’t pass an inspection to be allowed on Quebec roads.

So I thought to me-self, “Where shall I walk to today?”

Sign Post

Living in Montreal has given us some insight into how to communicate effectively with people who may not speak the same language as you do. How do you get around a language barrier? Maybe try some visual communication methods. That's right... Signs! I've placed some examples below.

Sign #1: No Superman's Allowed.


Obviously, Superman is the only real person capable of running so fast that he appears to be in three places at once. We first found this one at the Fairview bus terminus. Somebody put in a lot of effort, and came up with a pretty silly looking sign.

Sign #2: Don't Ask, Don't Tell


Any questions? Too bad!

Sign #3: You are in the big city now, kid!


Highway 20 meets Highway 15 meets Highway 720. Look at all the crazy overpasses and underpasses! I love it!

Sign #4: That the big city needs some big work done.


Overpasses collapsing? In Montreal? No way! (Sarcasm.) Look at all the crumbling concrete... I think the drainpipe is *actually* holding up the overpass.

Sign #5: Our car is probably too old to drive on these streets, anyway.


Oh "Road Runner", oh "Old Gray", you've certainly done us well.

Sign #6: This one needs no explanation, I think.


This one cracks us up, every time.

Sign #7: They *really* mean it.


These signs are on 6 or 7 sign posts in a row, down the street in front of our church. Honestly, who invested a bunch of their own time, went to Dorval City Hall, convinced the council that there were too many dogs pooping on the street, and that a sign should be made an posted to put and end to this outrage?

[PS: As an added bonus, here's a little "Where's Waldo?" for you... Can you find two more signs in the picture above that don't make much sense in Montreal? I'll post the answer as a comment in a couple of days...]

Sign #8: This post is over.

Never knew grade 10 science could pay off so much.

This past weekend I was a judge for a science fair at a near by high school. I was actually pretty nervous that the students would know more than I would! The fair went really well. I had four projects to judge:

1) An experiment to compare the effectiveness of toothbrush-cleaning methods. This girl was good. She had a great study design that included controls for a number of variables, carried out the experiment in an actual laboratory at Concordia University, and was very serious about her findings. She told me all about her possible sources of error, other experiments she wanted to conduct, and had an acknowledgement list that was fit for the Oscars. Very impressive.
[Did I mention she was only in grade 10? Heading straight for a doctorate I'm sure.]

2) An experiment to determine if fabric softener increases the flammability of clothing. Very dramatic. Very. They ending off their descriptive (and very scripted) speech with "If you decide to not use fabric softener - you will be making a decision that may save your life!"
[Are you even old enough do to laundry???]

3) Testing the relative conductivity of yellow fruits. Terrible - and they knew it. So nervous. So very, very nervous. Shaky voices, shaky hands, and sweat when asked questions. They had lemonade for the though!!!
[Um, at least they tried????}

moving on...

4) An experiment to test the relative resistance of bathing suits to wear and tear from chlorinated pools. These two scientists were swimmers. Oops, my mistake! One was a swimmer, one was a diver. The diver was very excited about their findings. The swimmer was Vanna White pointing to pictures and the display board as their speech was presented. Nothing like a very excited, very short, very red-headed grade 10er telling you about her diving, her swimsuit and that she has even met an olympic diver - paired up with a very serious presenter fanning her hand over pictures, diagrams, and charts as either of them spoke of the project.
[If only there was a scoring category for cuteness, the red-head would have taken the cake.]

Great! Handed in my score sheet and T&me headed for the door. But wait!! All judges (and my cute man to be sure) were invited to a luncheon. We were like "free meal? We're in!"

"Free meal" was an understatement.

Free wine, free beer, free fully-catered Indian cuisine with appetizers, entrees, and dessert/coffee/tea to boot. We filled out plates (and our wine glasses) and headed for a table in the corner. We ate our beautiful meal while looking over the private school's courtyard on our white-linen lined table with a centerpiece made of roses and valentine's day red hearts.

Note to self: Science fairs rock!

Preview of Panama

Here are a few pictures I received from a colleague of mine who has already moved to Panama. Our trials will be conducted in small villages in this rural area.

Colour Recap

Well, the polls are now closed, and the ballots have been counted:
Pink, blue, red, yellow, orange, turquoise blue, and bird coloured(?) made the cut. But, by far, red took the majority. So Tom, I guess we both “lose”. It’s not pink, but it definitely isn’t maroon either!

Our Ski Trip to Mont Tremblant

It was early, and Tom was tired


















It was early, and Tom had to shovel the rental car out quickly, because he slept in.

















Tom hits the slopes.





















Tom is a natural.



















Tom is tired and forgets what he was suppose to say.
[press play!]

Coming soon...

A story and pictures of our weekend ski trip to Mont Tremblant

















[Picture from Web]