Merry Christmas Everyone!!

So, I was mentally preparing myself to spend Christmas in Egypt this year, but the way things worked out has allowed me to be in Victoria and spend the holidays with my family and friends, for which I'm very grateful! This is also the first white Christmas in Victoria for as long as I can remember, and in addition to the snow, we have another visitor this year-- Topaz, the yellow lab!! Her owners are in Arizona, so she's spending the holidays with us, which we like- it's fun having a dog around (although judging by the picture...I'm not sure if she is having quite as much fun as we are ;)

It's been a great Christmas so far- santa was very good to me and in a few hours we're about to sit down to eat the turkey that has been cooking away all afternoon... mmmm.

Anyway, not much to report, just wanted to wish all you and your family a wonderful Christmas.
xoxo C

A recap of the week...

Back to reality...and snow :(

It's late and I should already be in bed, but thought I should do a quick post... I got back yesterday from a fab week of sun and catching up with friends to find Victoria covered in stupid snow--not a welcome sight at all! I don't mind it when I can snowboard on it, but when I have to go about daily life and try to drive and run in it (okay I haven't actually tried to run yet...I'm afraid I'll fall..) it really sucks!

But back to mexico...it was perfect-- the resort was great, it was sunny the whole time, the wedding was beautiful and I wish I was still there!!

For a full account, you should read Jen's post, she provides a lot more detail than I have the energy for at the moment.
Anyway here are a few pictures of the week... xoxo C

The last week has been sort of busy- mostly getting ready for the kids' xmas party at work- it was today and went pretty well. Since I was in charge of the volunteer list, I managed to avoid being an elf - sorry Glen and Kate! ;) It was sort of exhausting, but I think the kids had fun- AND the best part is it's over for another year! :)

So, I can't remember if I mentioned (which is weird, because I'm realllllllllllllly looking forward to it), but I'm off to Mexico on Tuesday morning. Sean and Michelle are getting married (finally-- it's only been 10 years) so we're all meeting in Puerto Vallarta!! It couldn't have come at a better time- Victoria's been so cold and miserable lately. I am sharing a room with Kate- we are very excited as it'll be our 3rd time to mexico together (first time was in 1998 when we were 19) AND it's our 3rd destination wedding together!

Look at the cool 3-D snowflake I learned how to make this week-- it's easy...you can do it too!

I'm bringing my macbook with me to PV, but am not sure if I'll have internet there, so if you don't hear from me for a while, I hope you have a great week! I'll have a margarita for you!

xoxo C :)

Catincairo is one year old!

My first entry was November 27th, 2007- one year ago today! It was funny re-reading some of those first entries- SO MUCH has changed since then- what an amazing and bizarre year I've had... I had forgotten how nervous I was before I left, when I was packing all my stuff and getting ready to leave for the next two years, and how lonely and homesick I felt when I first arrived in Cairo...and I never could have predicted that in the following months I would climb mountains, live in two apartments, live in a hotel for 2.5 months, swim in the Red Sea, dip my feet in the dead sea, travel to Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sri Lanka and India, touch an elephant, interview 1000 people in 5 weeks, eat some reallllly weird stuff, make some lifelong friends and get to spend 5 months with my friends and family in Victoria... although some of the times were hard and put me out of my "comfort zone" I wouldn't trade any of these expereinces for anything-- they have made me stronger and taught me so much. I'm not sure what the next year will bring, but I'm ready for it!

Roadtrip

Well, it's officially goretex and turtleneck weather around here; I like fall, but I can't believe a few months ago I said I missed the rain--I take that back!

This weekend Celeste and I took a roadtrip up island to visit Sarah who just moved there- she was an awsome hostess- we did a lot of my favourite activities: eating, going for walks, drinking wine, catching up and playing Rock Band!! We did NOT eat any nanaimo bars, but I think Cole and I do that enough at work! A few pics:

fall continues in Victoria...

Looks like I haven't written in a while....it would take a long time to re-cap the 10 days but they included: a swim-team baby shower for Trishy (and Ayelen); make-your-own pizza night at Cole and Kristinas and a trip to Vancouver which involved Kate, Tegan, Michael, Frank, Rock Band II and a lot of food. Here are a few pictures. Adam James, a misty sunset over the gulf islands, Michael the rock star and a crazy sky full of popcorn clouds from Mikey's window.