Our NoVA (Scotia) Home

Let's Bring You Up To Speed

2008-09-04T21:35:00.006-04:00

Well, well well. Time has a funny way of getting away from you. It is now September and it has been too long since we found our way here. To be completely honest, not much has actually changed. We survived another Virginia summer, although in all honesty it wasn't very hot or humid. Of course now we'll have a super hot and wet fall, with the coming of tropical storm season. We stuck around home here in VA, with the exception of a few work-related trips Chris (and I) took to Pennsylvania. Chris is exceptionally busy with work and will frequently be going away on business trips. I am still at home, not yet working except to help out at Neel Co. when they need an extra hand in the office.
We are still waiting for our applications to be processed for permanent work status and until we have that, we won't be visiting NS due to possible complications for our applications. It is all very bureaucratic.

The fall brings with it long anticipated visits from family. Chris' parents may be coming down in October and my folks are expected to arrive in early November (perhaps with a few extra people - maybe Gram, Sandy and/or Norah-Bean - all of whom would be most welcome!!).
Also with autumn approaching, hockey season approaches. We are both still avid Caps fans and are counting down the days to the season opener. Considering how well the guys did last year, we have heard season tickets sales are way up so we expect it may be more difficult to get good seats. All of the games are televised so we'll watch regardless. Chris may take a day to scope out the training camp, which includes the team core and some up-and-comers vying for positions on the team. We have some changes to the roster: veteran goalie Olaf Kolzig is now playing with the Bolts in Tampa, and Huet went to Chicago (we play them in our home opener - can you say awkward??!). We now have Jose Theodore joining Brent Johnson (Johnny) in the net making a (hopefully) consistent force in the net. Only time will tell. 15 days 'til training camp...

Caps Practice @ Kettler

2008-03-22T15:45:00.013-04:00

Sarah and I decided to go out to the Kettler Capitals Ice Complex to catch the Saturday morning practice. This was the day after Alex Ovechkin scored his 60th goal of the season. Unfortunately Ovie wasn't skating today, and several of the higher profile stars only stayed on for a short time. But we enjoyed watching the rest of the guys having fun. And I got some good shots of them going through some light work.

Here are a few of the better ones.

(just click on the image for a larger view)

Olie relaxing while the scrimmage is at the other end

Cristobal Huet signing autographs for some Montreal fans who dropped by

Olie makeing a stop during the scrimmage

Boyd Gordon

More of Olie during the scrimmage

Olie shaking his glove after someone scored
Steve Eminger and Brooks Laich having a bit of fun
(Eminger blocked a shot by Brooks from going in the net and Brooks took him down)

Mike Green practicing one timers
(way more than once)

Boyd Gordon and Brent Johnson during a scrimmage

Mike Green going in on Brent Johnson

Mike Green and Matt Bradley resting during drills

Eric Fehr

Quintin Laing

Johnny taking a few shotsBrent JohnsonMike Green shooting for top cornerBrooks LaichBrent Johnson shooting for top cornerJohnny hits it!
and celebrates!

Caps Road Trip Day 3

2008-02-24T22:27:00.002-05:00

After last night's loss to the Carolina Hurricanes, we went back to the hotel, then went out to grab a bite to eat and analyze the game in depth. We drove around Raleigh looking for some place different, and ended up heading back to Applebee's which we were at the day before for lunch. We got back to the hotel, and it seemed the place was much busier than it had been the previous two nights. Unfortunately this meant that there were several drunken noisy neighbors on our floor last night, and they kept us awake until after 4:00 this morning. Needless to say We didn't get as much sleep as we would have liked.

We hit the road around 10:30 this morning, and made good time, getting back home a little after 3:00, just in time to catch the end of the first period if today's game against the New Jersey Devils. The Caps played much better, for the entire 60 minutes, and 4:10 of overtime. Unfortunately we lost, but did pick up a point.

All in all it was a mixed review for the weeekend. We enjoyed it, got to see some of Raleigh on Friday in spite of the weather. Would have been better if the Caps won. But it was a nice 3-day getaway.

Caps Road Trip Day 2

2008-02-24T01:01:00.010-05:00

Here are some of the better shots from the game on Saturday afternoon. The Caps lost 6-3.
(click on the photo for a larger image)

Ovie fans watching the warm-up

The 'Canes Low Def Scoreboard.
(Note Rule #7 - too bad they don't follow their own rules)

Stecks battling at the opening face-off

Green's goal in the 1st (1-0 Caps)

Nick battling during a face-off

Olie making a stop.

Pile-up at the net

Green's bogus roughing penalty during the pile-up

Ovie & Olie in a mid-game hugCelebrating Semin's goal (2-0 Caps)

Caps Nation in the HouseThe orange sign held up by the 'Canes fan says
"Cheer If Your Team Sucks"

Olie with another good stopOlie being screened
(I have too many shots like this to count)

Olie sprawling for the puck
A shot by my wife for certain guys at OFB
(y'all know who you are)

Something Our guys need to aspire to
(but unfortunately not this game)

Pad save by Ward

Flash's missed open net shot

Our last goal (3-3 Caps)

A scramble in the Cane's crease

Which leads to the Cane's double teaming on Brash

Ward looking in the net for the puck (but we didn't score)

Caps Road Trip Day 1

2008-02-22T21:20:00.009-05:00

We are on a road trip this weekend, heading down to Raleigh, North Carolina to catch an away game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Thursday Night

The trip started with a bit of a rush out of town Thursday night ahead of some potential nasty winter freezing rain and snow on Friday morning. We had rain mostly through NC, and it got heavier as we got closer to Raleigh, but fortunately that was all it was.

Friday

We slept in late today, after a late arrival last night, and a restless night of sleep. It was a gloomy wet morning so we didn't miss much of an oppourtunity for site seeing. We got up and out around 11:00 to head out to the arena to pick up tickets for the game tomorrow. Since it is Military Appreciation Day tomorrow, there weren't many seats left in the lower section. We ended up getting club level seats on the corner. They should be fairly decent seats.

We grabbed lunch then walked around the State Capital. We went into the Museum of History and the Museum of Natural History. There were lots of kids going the History Museum, so it was noisy. But lots of interesting displays and exhibits. We walked back to the hotel and relaxed before dinner. We went to the restaurant "Top of the Tower" which is located on the top floor of the hotel. The food was good, and the view of the city was exceptional. Althoug there was a bit of fog you could still see a fair distance.

Some pictures we took during our day
(click on the photo for a larger image)

The Catholic Church near our hotel

The Baptist Church near our hotel

An old time pharmacy and soda shop display
in the NC Museum of History
Some items used for medicinal purposes
A display of body-shaping garments through the ages

A blue whale skeleton at the Museum of Natural History

Adult and baby manatee Skeletons

Sarah recreating a scene from her favorite movie

YOU'RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT!!!

Holiday Wishes

2007-12-23T20:58:00.000-05:00

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERY ONE!!!!!

Merry Christmas In Nova Scotia

2007-12-19T09:51:00.000-05:00

It is great to be back in Nova Scotia again. After postponing our trip in May we waited for 'permission' to leave the US, hoping and praying we would be able to get home for the holidays. We received our "advanced parole", giving us permission to leave the country up to 30 days at one time, valid until September 2008. We also have an application in for permanent residential status (a perm. work Visa) which will be processed sometime in the next year (or two). That will clear up any issues going across the border and will allow me to work (if I would like to) as well.

Our actual flight back to NS was relatively uneventful. Air Canada/United co-share a direct flight from Washington Dulles International Airport to Halifax. The actual flight time is only a little more than 2 hours so it is a quick trip. We arrived in frosty NS around 3:30 pm on the 13th of December. We had been informed that it was cold here but of course we were still a little surprised at exactly how cold. We have gotten used to the warmer weather - a relative term I suppose as it does get cold in Virginia, just not to the degree that it does up here. We have only made two trips back here at Christmastime since we moved to the US and I don't recall either of them being very cold. However I do enjoy the cold weather far more than Chris and I miss the snow so I guess every one special ordered some just for me as we have had one big storm and lots of flurries on top of the snow that was already down.

We have been enjoying the company of friends and family since arriving. We are a little like gypsies, moving every couple of days, except we just go back and forth from Brian and Thelma's (Galletly) to Kenny and Patty's (McKenna). One of the things I most look forward to is seeing our beautiful nieces - we now have four; Norah (9), Emily (4), Rachel (2) and Sophie (8 mos.). To date we have only had opportunity to see Norah and Rachel (my sister Sandy's two darlings), with plans to visit Oxford this coming weekend to get reacquainted with Emily and meet Sophie for the first time. Of course we enjoy spending time with everyone else, but the children grow up and change so fast, each moment is special to be sure.

We will try to post pictures of the beauty of winter in NS as well as the wonderful people make it special for us.

Happy Holidays to all, and best wishes for the New Year!

Night out with the Caps

2007-10-20T13:14:00.002-04:00

Just a few shots from early in the first period of Thursday's game against the New York Islanders. Unfortunately we lost 5-2. But it was a good night out with friends from home.

The new Hi Def scoreboard

Olie Kolzig clearing the puck to the side

Matt Bradley digging for the Puck in the Islanders goal

Joe Motzko called up from Hershey to fill in

Nicholas Backstrom skates for the puck

Fall Colours

2007-10-14T20:24:00.001-04:00

Just an couple of pictures from yesterday's walk in the woods. The leaves are only in the first stages of change, but the dry weather we've had this summer will make the change short, and there won't be a lot of colour. The peak should come in at the end of the month.

This one is a shot I played with in Photoshop. You can see the original in a previous post.

It's that time of year again...finally!

2007-10-01T11:19:00.000-04:00

After a long break from the great game hockey season is finally here! We went to see the Caps at Verizon Center last night and had a great time even though we lost 2-1. The Caps looked pretty good (especially the defence) and we look forward to a promising season. It was a little strange feeling patriotic singing O Canada and then not rooting for the Canadian team (I justify this by saying that there are Canadians on every team). Chris and I purchased t-shirts with the new (old) Caps logo - we will post pics of them soon.

In other news, Chris and I are still doing Weight Watcher's and both have enjoyed success. I have lost 30 lbs and Chris is down an astonishing 66 lbs. He was also able to stop taking Metformin, a medication his doctor prescribed for diabetes (he was on the cusp). That itself was no small accomplishment! Yesterday at our WW meeting, a woman asked Chris how he was able to lose the weight and stop his medication. She had been at the meeting a few weeks back when Chris was talking about coming off his medication and she was moved to tears (she also has to take medication for diabetes and sees a nutritionist). He is an inspiration, proof positive that change is possible. I am so very proud of him!

Walk Along the River

2007-09-08T20:13:00.000-04:00

Took a walk along the riverbank at Bull Run Marina Park, and snapped a few shots of the local flora and fauna. The river is exceptionally low due to the lack of rain we've had this summer.

Photos From Glen Burnie

2007-09-08T13:15:00.001-04:00

Just a few shots taken at Glen Burnie, a local historical estate and museum. We were there last weekend with my parents when they were down for a visit. The grounds have several garden areas which include rose gardens with a large selection of rose varieties, and areas with Greek, Roman and Oriental themes. Unfortunately the batteries died only a short time into the visit, and I forgot to check to see if I had a spare set before we headed out for the day. The next time we go out, I'll try and get a better series of shots from the rest of the garden areas.

Hockey In July

2007-07-14T20:59:00.001-04:00

Here are a few of the better shots from today's Development Camp scrimmage game for the Capitals future prospects. A couple looked ready for the big time, some needed a bit more time in the minors. It was a good game, especially in the middle of July.

Celebrations on the 4th

2007-07-04T22:32:00.000-04:00

Here are a couple of pics of tonights Fireworks over Manassas Park.

DC Summer

2007-06-23T20:16:00.000-04:00

I went in to DC for the day, the weather was quite nice, no humidity, only in the 80's. Got some good shots, and thought I'd post them for everyone to see.

Click on the image to see a larger view.

The Washington Monument

The World War II Memorial

Where are all the people?

The Lincoln Memorial

The Korean War Memorial

Birds In The Korean Memorial Fountain

Roses in Front of the Smithsonian

Winter's Over, Spring Too, Now....

2007-06-07T19:46:00.000-04:00

Freaking hot weather!!!!!

They are calling for high 90's and heavy humidity. The heat index is expected to get to between 100 and 105. It's a good thing we have a/c in the apartment, but the car is a completely different matter.

Choke, Choke

2007-06-07T19:39:00.000-04:00

Well, looks like my prediction of an early choke by Ottawa was only a couple of games off. Too bad they waited until the Cup finals to make good.

They just simply got out played. Anaheim played an aggressive and physical game, and Ottawa didn't respond until the second period of game 3. It threw the Ducks off, but only for 40 minutes. The rest of their series, The Ducks dominated.

Well, the season is now over, just have to find ways to keep occupied until the puck drops in September.

Hello, My name is Sarah and I'm addicted to facebook.com.

2007-06-01T18:02:00.000-04:00

The creator of Facebook.com is a genius, perhaps even an evil genius. For those of you yet to become acquainted with facebook, it is a free site where you can register to get your own profile and then search for (stalk) other profiles of people you may know. Once you find someone you'd like to befriend you can add them to your list of friends which they will then need to confirm (this process also applies when someone wants to be your friend - you need to confirm them). Once all the confirmation has taken place you can then check out their profile, including all of their friends and any photos they may have, and you can write on their wall for all to see or message them for a private conversation. It is my new love. I spend way too much time, signing in and reading posts and searching for other "facebookees" that I may know. I have been in contact with people I haven't seen since high school graduation (and trust me that was a LONG time ago) and it is rather amusing and fun to find out what everyone has been up to.

They say admitting you have a problem is the first step to recovery. There's hope for me yet (yeah right).

For any of you who think they can handle it, here's the url:

http://www.facebook.com/

Good luck and happy hunting,
Sarah

Sarah Doesn't Want to Play Any More

2007-05-24T17:48:00.000-04:00

Well, the results are in, and it looks like I turned it around. A Ducks - Sens Stanley Cup Final.

Who'd a thunk it! (Me, that's who)

And Sarah wants to take her puck and go home. It seems she doesn't take defeat well.

Well, seems that there is only one way to predict this final round. We gotta go with national pride and pick Ottawa for all the glory.

It has the makings of good series, based on their prior performances (last 2 games for Anaheim not withstanding).

Now we just have to make it through to Monday to resume our almost daily fix of hockey.

Looking back, we've watched all but one or two Cap's games, and we even got to see them at the Phone Booth (Verizon Center) twice. Add to that the playoffs, with one or two games a night (sometimes even had a third stuffed in for good measure) and we've had quite a full season of hockey viewing.

Round Three

2007-05-10T17:40:00.000-04:00

Well, turns out Sarah has better mind for hockey than Chris does. Chris was 1 for 4 in second round predictions, while Sarah picked 3 of 4.

Vancouver self-destructed, San Jose really couldn't catch a break, Buffalo did what they were expected to do, and Ottawa didn't choke like they typically do. But what's up with Brodeur?

For all of the flash and excitement of the "New" NHL, it seems that this year's playoffs will be know more for the goal tending duels than anything else. Oh, and the significant number of video reviews.

Well, for this round, our picks are as follows:

Chris: Sens over Sabres, Ducks over wings.

Sarah: TBA.

We'll see how things go.

update:

Sarah: Buffalo and Detroit in the Cup; Detroit to win.

My Very Own Hockey Grin (Sort Of)

2007-05-04T14:12:00.000-04:00

What a pain the last two days have been (quite literally).

For the past week I (Chris) had been experiencing a rather painful toothache that did not seem to be going away. And yesterday the pain had become almost untolerable. So I called the dentist and was able to get an appointment within a couple of hours. The x-rays showed that a cavity from a filling that had fallen out a couple of years ago had made it's way through to the nerve. So the solution was either go with a root canal, fillings and a cap. Or, pull the tooth. After looking at the cost of each, and weighing the pro's and cons of each, I opted to get it pulled.

Fortunately it was a molar in the back, so it wasn't visible.

After, I was given a prescription for pain killers, and instructions for the next couple of days about cleaning and preventing infection and sent on my merry way.

WHEN THE FREEZING STARTED TO COME OUT....

Good thing I had some really good stuff. It even helped numb the pain from the Vancouver loss last night.

I decided to stay home today, as it really wasn't advisable to drive while on this stuff, and I really couldn't concentrate anyway. I seemed to be a step behind. As it was, I slept until noon, and my head really didn't start to clear until this afternoon.

A Beautiful Day in The Neighbourhood

2007-04-30T10:29:00.001-04:00

Well I think spring came and went in a flash. The meteorologists were commenting earlier this month on how this April was the coldest in many years. April may have come in cold but it is going out on a high note. They are calling for a high of 84 degrees F for today (for all my Canadian friends that would be 29 degrees C). Too bad the pool doesn't open until Memorial Day weekend. For those who know me (Sarah) personally, you are correct if you think I am complaining. One of the things I miss most about good ol' Nova Scotia is the weather. Chris, on the other hand, loves the warmer climate. At least one of us enjoys it.

Back in November, we decided it was time to get up off our ever-widening rear-ends and join Weight Watchers. Both of us had gained some excess body baggage since migrating down south of the Mason/Dixie line (some more than others - argh!) and our bodies were beginning to protest. Our weight loss journey so far has been commendable: Chris is getting super-slim since losing 47 lbs and I'm tagging along after losing 24 lbs. I am frequently told that men have an easier time losing weight. Go figure! We work twice as hard shedding poundage. Oh the crosses we women have to bear. Our trek to Skinnyville has just begun and we'll update you all on our progress.

More Photos 29 April 2007

2007-04-29T10:58:00.000-04:00

Here are some more photos for you to look at.

(Click on the image for a larger view)

ENJOY!

Self Portrait

This was taken on an unusually warm January Day. We decided to go out and take pictures at a local park. We were both wearing shorts and T-shirts. IN THE MIDDLE OF JANUARY!!!!

Geese at Burke Lake

There were lots of people out enjoying the warm weather. Even the birds had a chance to enjoy it.

Squirrel at Occaquan

Even the squirrels were confused. (Not that you could tell)

First Snow Fall
This is what it looked like the next weekend!

Point Pleasant Park in Winter
This is a typical January day in Nova Scotia

Peggy's Cove
I think the best time to shoot pictures at Peggy's Cove is during bad weather for many reasons. The biggest reason is that it keeps the number of tourists down, so you don't have a lot of people moving in and out of the picture you want to take.

The weather also adds to the photograph.
High winds and waves before or after an Atlantic storm can add some drama to the photo.
You just have to make sure that you aren't in the splash zone. (it only happened to me once)

Stone Bridge at Manassas National Battlefield

The Battle of Manassas (Bull Run) took place during the US Civil War (There were actually two battles a couple of years apart).

Colonial Williamsburg
This is a streetscape along the main street in the historic section of Williamsburg.

This is another photo taken in the historic section.
(It's been slightly doctored to remove a tag on the lamp post and a person in the background)

Fall Colours
This shot was taken along the trail leading to Economy Falls.

Sculpture
This is a sculpture which sits outside the National Air & Space Museum's Dulles Annex

Spring Trees
A nice sign of spring just outside our door.

It IS pronounced ZED dammit!!!!!!

2007-04-27T21:34:00.001-04:00

Postponed Trip Home

2007-04-26T21:28:00.000-04:00

For those of you who don't already know, we've had to postpone our usual trip home in May this year. Long story short, we're waiting for paperwork to be processed, and it won't likely be done until mid June or July. We could still come home, but coming back into the US would require possible delays at the border. So rather than go through that hassle, we've decided to put off the trip until later. We're debating about making a short trip in the fall, and a trip at Christmas, or a longer Christmas vacation over 3 weeks instead of 2. (I have an extra 5 days of vacay this year, since I've worked here 5 years this year)

So, unfortunately, we won't be seeing our good friends and family next month, but we still have an open invitation for those who want to come down and visit us. Just call ahead to reserve your space, reservations are filling up fast. (Hint, Hint)

P.S. I would not recommend the months of June, July, August or early September if you don't like heat or humidity.

P.P.S. We do not have AC in the car. But the apartment has lots of it, and we have a pool on site.

P.P.S.S. We can even find Canadian beer in a couple of local supermarkets (Alcohol content undisclosed) so you can even say that you've had Canadian beer imported from Canada (Unless you've spent a summer in the Gagetown training areas).

Various Photos

2007-04-25T20:24:00.000-04:00

Here are some photos Chris has taken over the past few years.
(Click on the photo for a larger image)

Bug on Tulip

Fall Colours

Old Bridge in the Woods

Forest Leaves

Whistler, British Columbia

Beulach Ban Falls, Nova Scotia

Peggy's Cove, Nova Scotia

Squirrel in Tree

Beach Rocks

Newfoundland Sunset

Boats in Newfoundland

Sunset over Halifax

Mountain Lake, British Columbia

Storm Over Halifax

Economy Falls, Nova Scotia

Cape D'Or Nova Scotia

Balmoral Mills, Nova Scotia

Air & Space at Dulles

Newfoundland Beachscape

16 Ducks

Playoff Picks

2007-04-25T18:53:00.000-04:00

It's a little late, but here are our first round picks as we selected on the first night of the NHL playoffs:

Chris
Buffalo over NY Islanders
New Jersey over Tampa Bay
NY Rangers over Atlanta
Pittsburgh over Ottawa (predicting another early choke by Ottawa)
Calgary over Detroit (predicting another early choke by Detroit)
Anaheim over Minnesota
Vancouver over Dallas
San Jose over Nashville

Sarah
Buffalo over NY Islanders
New Jersey over Tampa Bay
Atlanta over NY Rangers
Ottawa over Pittsburgh
Detroit over Calgary
Anaheim over Minnesota
Vancouver over Dallas
Nashville over San Jose

Not bad, we're both 6 for 8 in the first round.

Now, let's see how we do with our second round picks:

Chris
Buffalo and New Jersey
San Jose and Vancouver

Sarah
Buffalo and New Jersey
Detroit and Anaheim

As for the eventual winner Chris picked Vancouver and Sarah picked New Jersey back at the beginning of April. After seeing Vancouver's performance in the first round, We are both predicting the Devils taking the Cup.

New Photos 22 April 07

2007-04-24T00:38:00.000-04:00

Just trying out posting photos. This is a photo Chris took over the weekend.

Welcome To Our Blog

2007-04-23T23:46:00.000-04:00

Hi, Y'all!

Welcome to our Blog. This is our place to post our thoughts on our experiences living in a different country, and to share photos with family and friends, both old and new. Enjoy yourselves, and feel free to share your comments.