This year has really become a turning point in Magnus’s swimming career. He has become so proficient in the water that he has shed his bulky floatation devices and will pretty much go anywhere in the water he chooses. If he’s on the beach, he will swim with the big guys out to the wharf or if he is on the boat he will jump out in the middle of the lake - it has been a lot of fun to watch him blossom in the water. Another advancement with Magnus is his ability to attempt diving and mastering the age old classic cannonball jump. Either way this kid is having a blast in the water and everyday it is struggle to get him out of it.
Wonderful aspects of our days in the Okanagan are based around time in Dad’s boat. This usually occurs in the afternoon and everyday we go out we try to go around to different places within Okanagan Lake. Some days we just stop in the middle of the lake and jump in for a swim, others we may pull up close to a park and swim into it to play around; either way it is a great way to kill off a day! In our family, Svea is still a little reluctant to go into the water (although she does) while Magnus just jumps in and never gets out — actually Magnus is now learning to dive and will readily do it off the front of the boat as well. It’s a great time out and a huge bonus for all of us while visiting in Penticton.
So far life is still great down in the sunny Okanagan: scorching hot weather, cold rum and cokes, cool pool up on the 5th floor to hang out in and great times hanging out with family - oh yes, vacation mode is full swing!
Found this book at Munro’s Books on Government Street in Victoria, BC the other week and am really enjoying it. Basically this book takes a look at some of the crazy/seedy characters that currently roam the Middle Kingdom. This book is condensed into 16 vingettes/chapters that capture 16 unique characters. These characters range anywhere from punk musicians to prostitutes to organized thugs to a photographer who earns a living taking pictures of dead people. Their stories are quite interesting and detailed and I have enjoyed the author’s knowledge and respect of Chinese society. While I would not claim this book to be elevated literature, I do think it is a great little book that gives some wonderful insight into the new booming world of the New China - do, if you see it I strongly suggest you pick it up and give it a read.
Well, it’s official: I have lost my annual summer problem of becoming a fat pig. Every summer since I have moved over to China I come back to Canada and gain (at least) 15 pounds. I told myself to be careful this year and watch how much I eat and drink and try to not gain so much weight - I even brought over a bike to ride to try and help keep the body moving. However, the summer of socializing has trapped me in once again and all the snacks and rum and cokes have caught up to me. My comfort weight is usually around 185 pounds and I am already somewhere around 195 lbs! I am completely embarrassed of myself and just feel like bloated, fat slob - bring on more Hawkin’s Cheezies and another rum and coke you stupid idiot!!
Yesterday the family went up to Apex for a little hike to the top of the mountain. It was a perfect day to tackle the 2000′ish feet and I think after all was said and done everyone had a great time. For Magnus this was the first time doing anything of this magnitude and I was really impressed with how well he handled it - only two sitdown strikes claiming he hated the mountain! One thing that really helped us plug along was the age old game of hitting trees (or signs) with rocks; certain alloted points were given and/or candy reward rounds kept them running from place to place . This made the hike fun and kept Magnus and Jordy energized to seek out their next targets. Once on top we had a great little picnic, soaked in he scenery and then came back down and had a swim at Mom and Dad’s pool - great day!
With the big fire raging close to Peachland, the smoke has quickly drifted south towards us in Penticton. Many of the locals are concerned about the haze and its effect on the people, while for us who have just come from China, we are left to wonder what all the fuss is about - this is a beautiful Chinese day!
It’s got the 10.2 megapixels, it’s got the real image engine, it’s got the increased control with expanded dynamic range and the full backward lens compatibility; the Pentax K200d even comes with rack and pinion steering and dual overhead cams - this baby has it all! And last night Kristin and I purchased one. This is obviously way too much camera for the photographic skills I posses, but I am very excited to learn what I can and grow with it. I became intrigued with the Pentax when a friend of mine, Blake Defieux, purchased the k10d version and told me all about the bells and whistles it possessed; and one of the strongest assets of the Pentax is its ability to interchange lenses from the past 60+ years, which I think really helps make it into a neat little hobby. This camera is also easy enough for Kristin to use for those everyday shots when needed. I have much learning to do but I am very excited and eager to learn the k200d’s capabilities and see what kind of fun we can have with it.
Everyday this week from 8:30-11:30am Magnus has been going to soccer camp at the Gordon Head Recreation Center. The weather has been fabulous and Magnus has had a great time participating. There are lots of kids to hang out with and everyone is running around and learning the great game of soccer (and we get some peace and quiet without him for a few hours!) Victoria is a great city that has a lot of summer programs for children and they are conducted at a very high level. Not too sure what we will put him in when we come back in August but we are scouring the pamphlets looking!
I watched one of the funniest and most tear-jerking documentaries I have ever seen last night: Young @ Heart. This is the story of a unique choir where only senior citizens can participate. This group has been performing for quite sometime and this film documents the preparation of their 2007 performances. This group has sang around the world and achieves standing ovations everywhere they go - click on all the links to find out why! The members of the group are regular people who share a zest for life that is so contagious. The songs they choose come from a range of folk, rap, classical, rock and punk music - it is absolutely beautiful! I laughed, I cried, I sang out loud with Young @ Heart!!
The other day Abebooks.com (where Gramma Judy works) held a summer picnic party at Willows Beach. Needless to say Kristin and the younglings went down and partook and had a great time. BBQ’s, games and, of course, the dreaded Bouncy Snake. Great times were had by all and it was just another reminder of why summer is a great time of year!
Not too sure how or why it happened but one small tradition I have picked up since returning home from China every summer has been enjoying the annual baseball all-star game. I am by no means a baseball fanatic but do enjoy and respect greatly the traditions of the game (minus all the stars and stripes rhetoric); and the all-star game is a game where they really play off the game’s history and traditions, which is great. It is also a game where the skill of the players is truly on display in a pure competitive venue: meaning the game is not dummied down (like the NHL) and played at three-quarter speed. So, for the past 5 years or so, Joe and I always grab an ice cold rum and coke and just enjoy watching this game together and last night was another notch in that tradition - and now I can go back to not caring about baseball.
