tuesday Berlin

Hi everyone - it's turned cold - minus 2 degrees but as I walk everywhere I know it!
I'm putting on weight but delude myself that it's muscle - not the German food.
This is our last day here and I don't know what accommodation we have in Darmstadt  - or where my nearest Starbucks will be
This is information to try to reach Chandra - Hope that you got my emails about Citadines What do you want to do will you take it ovr saying that you're my Granddaughter or do you want me to do anything?
I think as they've renovated and it's Olympic time in the centre of London it's not too bad. It really is first class now and I'm sure the single beds will be proper beds - but maybe you can find better
I've also just posted a packet to Sherley for the shower for Kali - I heard about it from Beth but don't know the date.
Hope all my packets arrive - Pete and Lisa Birthday - Krysten Syd and MJ Valentines. Kali and MJ Baptism and birthday and Showerfor new baby. German post seems very efficient and cheap - but do they arrive?
Hoping you're all well - much love, Grandma

Saturday - Liverpool

Great to go to the ballroom [wifi ]after too much breakfast and find all the news.
Yes - It must be a new experience for you to be big Kali  so Im glad that you're feeling fine and all is well.
Good news about the house too -  hope that we have a good summer for them to do all those jobs and for us to repair our roof!
What super photos from Ad and Char - it looks a lot like when I went to Chile for Neal's wedding and then Claudia's family took me to their house at Pukon in the mountains.
I especially like the photo of Char in the mirror. It's good that you can do these things while you can still be active!
In Brit newspaper read that chocolate improves eyesight - always knew it was good for something - and stem cells have been used to restore some sight  so don't know whether you heard this Ad.
Back to Berlin today then Darmstadt next Weds
Much love, Grandma/Mum

Cycle trip - fifth day of cycling

IMG_1349.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Today was a short day - 50km out to a hot pool. Around these volcanoes there are of course tons to choose from. This one gave us a big climb, then me, Charlotte, and Coco and Tommy (two of our guides) climbed a bit higher to the top of the pass. Here they try to show Charlotte how to pose for the cycling "here" shot ;-)

Cycle trip - "rest" day

IMG_1114.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Took a day off the bike, and went hiking for a change. More spectacular volcano views

Day 2 cycling

IMG_1015.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

The sun came out for our second day of cycling and we saw the first of many volcanos! This is more like what we were imagining when we signed up

Day 1 cycling

IMG_0980.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Our first day cycling was in a downpour! All the wet weather gear got tested. Here's part of the group

Santiago

IMG_0668.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

After our two day whirlwind tour of Valparaiso we spent a day wandering through Santiago. We chose to explore the Quinto Normal where we found this great French restaurant, a massive park (which we couldn't find a way out of), a "Memory Museum" about the abuse of human rights in Chile, and a whole lot of 'normal, non-touristy' places.

You never know who's watching...

IMG_0435.jpg, a photo by Adrian Zissos on Flickr.

Valparaisso is a super fun town. We were there a few days ago before our bike trip further south in Chile. Will get back with more stories soon. You can check flicker for more photos.

So sorry we missed the baptism - but all our love,
AYZ & CharM

Hi Grandma,
Sorry I haven't written in a while.  Michael's baptism was last week and it was great.  Chand did a really good job of putting it together.  It was nice to see some family and catch up :)

The wedding plans are coming along nicely.  A year is a good amount of time to plan a wedding because you can do things slowly so that it never seems like a chore or stressful.

The house is also coming along.  Darren and I went for our first walk through on Monday and got news that we will likely be able to move in around the middle of April.  The guy assured me the baby will be first - which is at least nice to know.  The weird thing is that we don't get stucco until June or so.  The guy said that because of weather we don't get that, the garage, or lawn grading (so we can't put in grass) until June.  We have to wait for the ground to thaw or something.  So we will be moving into a black house with a dirt lawn ;)  But the inside will be beautiful :)

The only other news I have is my increasing size.  I get bigger every day.  I have 6 weeks left now and can't wait.  It's getting a bit tricky to move in simple directions.  For example, it's a challenge to lean forward.  Pregnancy is funny.

When do you come home again?

Love,
Kali

Friday Liverpool

So sorry to miss Michael's Baptism I didn't realise it was so soon.
I posted a parcel to him and Kali - Birthday greetings only last week in Berlin so it will be late!
Also sent a Valentines packet for Syd, Krysten and MJ the week before - Would love to have news - send pics!, much love Grandma.
PS will look into the Citadines Chand - we stayed ther a few weeks ago - they've renovated it's really great now.

Liverpool

Where are you all? -
It's great to be here and hear a form of English.
Today is the big day of the conference which is in Peter's honour so it was good to see friends from Greece and Spain last night
We're at the Adelphi. Used to be a Grand hotel and indeed the ballroom I'm in at the moment [ where they have wifi ] is wonderful - High ceilings and Chandeliers and mirrors but the rooms and bathrooms are ancient! I'm looking forward to exploring today but as it's 50 years since we lived in this area and this was my main shopping place, I'm sure it's all changed.
hope that you're all well, Much love, Grandma

Monday at Starbucks

I can't tell you with what incredulity the sign- in worked! there was a pause and I thought "here come the orange notices telling me i'm wrong", but no - here I am!
so pleased to hear all your news Kali - yes i think you're right about the work out  - certainly worked with your Dad. I'm also glad that you got some supply work and that you were happy in the classroom.
How are the wedding plans coming along?
Had a culture vulture weekend - 2 museums - Pergamon and Nues  ancient history - saw a greek parchment from 1,300 BC  and special Roman exhibition - Chand would have loved it  We'd never get her out  - and Kali and I would be on the floor
Then 3 music concerts - Philharmonic, Kaberet style then New Year concert certainly diiferent. Oh also a French film Les Entouchables - really good.
We go to Liverpool tomorrow then back here at the weekend then to Darmstadt on Tues or Weds -
No wonder my brain's fried!
Hope you're all well - so goo to hear your news - Very much love, Grandma

Miss you :)

Hi Grandma,
I just got your post card in the mail.  Thank you very much!  It's so nice to get them :)  We all miss you very much here.
I am feeling pretty good these days.  I'm tired, but less tired than before.
I've had three days of subbing so far!  It's nice to be back in the classroom!  I'm still serving though.  As much as I complain about it, I do have to admit that I think being forced to work in the serving industry has helped with the pregnancy.  It's like a forced work out since I definitely would spend my time relaxing if I didn't have to go to work.
We are all getting really excited about the baby.  We're leaning towards the name Alexander.  Darren likes it because he would be named after me.  We have the baby room all set up.  We managed to get all of the furniture for free - great bonus!!  We have been working with Sunny so she knows that she has to sit and be invited into the baby room and she has to be calm if she comes in.
We've had a pretty cold week here but it warmed up today!  I think we might have even got to -18 degrees!!  ha ha
I'm glad to hear you are enjoying Berlin!  Hope to get more updates soon.
Love,
Kali

Night Out

AJ and I had a nice night out last night. We tried a new place called "Brava" on 17th. It was great. Super muscles for those of you who love them as much as I do. Thanks so much to Aunt Lisa, Krysten, Sydney and Uncle Peter for having Michael over for the evening. It was super to come back to a very cute sleeping baby taking over Krysten's room. It was really relaxing to go to dinner and not worry about if Michael is hungry or happy or bothering other people. I sure appreciated our first real date since before Michael was born. Best family ever!

How is the food in Europe grandma? Still amazing?

Michael's baptism is a week tomorrow. We will post photos for you, and if we can get you we will try to skype you.
Lots of love

Hi grandma, (and aunt Lisa, I heard you wanted to put up photos from Hawaii)

(the blog will not let you select straight from iPhoto)

to upload photos you can do it following these steps

1) Click on your desk top screen, then at the top of the screen click on the word file. When the pop down menu opens select "New Folder"

2) A new folder will appear on your desk top.

3) Go to where your photos are stored, mine are in iPhoto, so I open iPhoto

 4) Click and drag the photo you want  from where it is on the screen into the "New Folder" on your desk top. You just need to hover over the file on your desk top, you don't need to open it.

5) Once you have all the photos you want in the "New Folder" file return to the blog

6) Write your new blog entry

7) Select the icon with the blue sky and mountain (If you hover your mouse over it a peachy box with the words "Insert Image" should appear

8) The next screen that appears will have the title "Select a file". It will have a box with the words "Choose file", click on this box

 9) Select "Desktop" in the blue area on the left side of your screen

 10) Choose the "new Folder" (I renamed mine "photos")

11) Click on the photo you want to add, it will be highlighted like mine below. Then click "Choose"

12) The new screen looks like below, if thats the photo you want to add click "add selected"

13) Your photo should now appear in your blog.

Try it, and you can always email if you get stuck. Good luck :)

I am looking forward to some great photos of Europe.

Lots of love

Chandra (and Michael who can't figure out why the computer is playing Elmo)

Thursday Berlin

I just sent a blog to myself which didn't work! - It was wonderful to get the super photos of the postcard monster and his Grandfather. Berlin is very cool lots of high end shops and outrageous fashions and lots of Museums and concerts. i don't know anyone here so it's lonely at times but I'm walking lots exploring
I found the icon to send photos Chand but don't know how to select them. One uncool thing about Berlin - No Apple Store - I'm quite lost -
Very much love, Mum,GrandmaGtGrndma

Hi, from Whistler Olympic Park

Up High at Whistler Olympic Park

Moon about to set, from top of Whistler Mountain

I've been enjoying some clear blue skies in Whistler and a bit less so the colder temperatures that go along with the cloudless nights. Yesterday I went up Whistler mountain to telemark ski with Don. Unbelievable morning skies - the view alone was worth the trip to the top of the mountain. We spent the better part of the day searching for fresh snow and finding some where the wind had blown it in.  Today Don & I went cross country skiing one valley over at Whistler Olympic Park. Another glorious, if a little bit cold, day. Here I am at the highest point (almost) in the park. Pretty good framing by DJ in this photo ;-)

Tomorrow I head for a one night visit to Victoria to test-run some orienteering courses in the town, then back to Calgary for a few days before we head to South America for the first time ever. Charlotte and I are very excited about that trip! We'll have three days on the beach (we hear it is 28 above - we might melt), then 12 day cycling trip with some really good friends (who stayed with us in Whistler during the Olympics and were the Spanish team's local support team), then a few days hiking right where there are some massive forest fires right now, then our special 20 year anniversary cruise around the Cape to Argentina, and a final three or four days in Buenos Aries which I suspect will be the highlight of the entire trip! Then back to Canada to finish off the tail of the ski season. And catch up with the backlog of projects that will have accumulated during our trip. Coming home is always so much fun.

Postcard...yum

Michael received his first postcard in the mail on Friday. He loved it so much that he tried to eat it.
He was very interested in the writing and looked at the photos, then grabbed it from my hand and stuck it in his mouth. EW! But he was so happy that we didn't take it away right away.

It sounds like you found the most important place there, the coffee shop! 

We found a fantastic Indian place near our house on Friday night, we'll have to take you when you get home. We were very impressed by the staff, the food and the atmosphere. It was great!

Oh dear, the postcard monster just woke up...

Lots of love

XOXOX

Jan 5th

How fantastic Kali - that's so exciting - It takes me back many years when your grandfather and i were watching the progress of the house we'd bought - one in Woodley Cheshire when we only had your Dad, then one in Great Sutton when we also had Andrew and Nick
We're in Berlin in a lovely appartment right in the centre on an island in the River Spree. All the museums are here and it's the oldest area of the city. It was in the Russian sector so is a very interesting place to be. . We're just finding our feet as everything is so different but the building doesn't have wifi - just the old hook up system . Yesterday Peter went to Uni after we'd got some food in - then i walked looking for Apple store but instead found a Starbucks only 10 min walk from our appt. so I was here when they opened at 9am and have 2 hours wifi and then can sign on anyway again if necessary. It's in a big shopping centre - 4 floors  with some good and some ropey shops but lots of sales.
We didn't go out for New Year's Eve. Peter had a cold and I watched the fireworks on the seafront from the windows! Too bad Nick and family weren't still with us.
Tomorrow is Lisa's birthday and my address for them keeps being returned - I have thez4@telus.net   can you let me know what it is?
So Kali - I do hope that you're feeling well and everything is fine.
It's so good to hear from you as I miss you all so much. Being in Berlin is exciting but lonely so far.
Much love, Grandma
just tried to    insert image   but didn't work !will try again on the pic front

Pictures

Hi Grandma,
Have you figured out how to add pictures yet?   If not, I'll try to explain.  When you are typing your post your computer screen should look like it does when you are typing an e-mail.  So, you are typing in a box. At the top of the box you type in are buttons to change things like font style and size.  Among these buttons is one that looks like a white picture frame with a blue little picture inside of it.  It is sandwiched in between a button that says 'link' and a button that looks like a movie thing.  Click the picture frame.  Then a new box will pop up with a button saying "Choose File"  click this.  Then you just have to find the picture you want to add and select it!   Let us know if you need more clarification for this.  It's hard to explain and not show you.  

Well, here's the picture of my house so far

Very exciting!!

Love,
Kali

Happy New Year!

Grandma, I am very impressed by your e-card!  Thank you so much for sending that.  My NYE was pretty uneventful.  I had to work at Stage West so it was the latest night I've had in quite a while :)  What did you do to celebrate?

Dad - I love those pictures!  How did you get the lighting to make it blue?

Love,
Kali