I'm going to pretend that I have not written for 5 weeks

Yeah, I know the date on my last post says January 9th. I've been busy, in a good way. That's all I'll say on that topic. Don't harp at me.

The best thing I did recently was go to Vancouver to get me some of those Olympic vibes. It was amazing. I took the kids and our two new students, and we had a blast. Actually, I had loads of fun. Whether they did or not, isn't my concern. The day was for me and the others were along for the ride. Ooh, give the lady a break from writing and she comes back tough and haughty! Anyhoo, the day was a gloriously sunny 14°C (57°F). We took the 6:30 AM ferry from Nanaimo, and got downtown by 9:30. We headed straight for the action at Robson Square.  

early morning ferry ride

Robson Square

We rode the skytrain, saw the Olympic Flame, walked, watched people, ate a picnic lunch in the middle of Chinatown, enjoyed an ice cream in a park near Canada Hockey Place and walked some more.

Nayana, Nadine, Victoria, yours truly, Rosalie, Evelynne

Nadine, Evelynne, Victoria, Rosalie

Go Canada Go!

Notice the flowers? It's February and they are real.

looking down Georgia towards Seymour 

Finally, the hightlight of the day, we met Vivian. I have been friends with Viv since 8th grade, 32 years ago. The last time we saw each other was at her wedding in 1987. It was so wonderful to see her again. The only regret was that I didn't get to meet her children, who were enjoying the US vs. Finland hockey game. We chumed around together, and walked some more. 

Viv and I.

Jillayne, we missed you.

By 3:30, it was time to go. We had to catch the 5:00 ferry back home. I doubt that we could have walked another step in any case. Silly me, I just got off my crutches a few weeks ago, and underestimated the amount of walking I'd be doing. By the time we got home, my entire leg was swollen and aching, but it was so worth it. What a day.