What's a mother to do?

This is a first. At 11:30 this morning I delivered 6YO to a friend's house to go camping for the weekend. 48 hours. Away. Without us. Swimming. In the woods. Bees. Am I panicking yet? Just don't think about it. Just don't think about it.

As I was pulling away from their house I heard, "thumpa, thumpa, thumpa." The tire suddenly looked awfully low. I have to admit it. I hate cars. I hate maintaining cars. So, we don't do as well as we should with routine stuff. A chunk of change later we have four new tires. We needed them. Having to replace one was the catalyst. Normally I freak at such unanticipated (in the immediate sense) expenses, but I feel like it's one more thing we knew we'd do before moving that's done. And, before winter.

It means I didn't get to the housework I had planned to do this afternoon (i.e., priming the sheetrock, painting...). Oh, well. Soon I'll be picking up P to go see Sicko. If we're feeling particularly indulgent we may even go to a second movie tonight. Perhaps, Hairspray. Or, we could stay home and watch Thank You For Smoking. Hmmmm... Then we will be joining the hordes for the Harry Potter release. I'm not a fan, but P is more than a fan. Unless she changes her mind, we'll be there at midnight. Hey, I'm not the one who has to get up for class tomorrow!

On the TM front, I spoke to a wonderful rep at Penske and we will probably end up renting from them, driving to F'ton and unpacking, and then returning the truck to Maine. Their rates and reviews are good. There's also a AAA discount. And, unlimited mileage. That's a biggie. Of course that could all change before next summer, but it's still data. Since they provide more days than we need for the trip, returning the truck to the US is worth the savings - if they continue to beat the other vendors' rates and offer unlimited mileage.

Off to the movies!

Preparation

This morning we took another step toward the move. Perhaps I'll start referring to the whole relocation process as TM - as in "the move," not "transcendental meditation." Though, come to think of it, perhaps a little TM - the latter - wouldn't hurt.

We spent an hour and a half with a realtor, going over what she would suggest we do to the house before putting it on the market. The good news is that there's only one thing she suggested that we weren't already planning on doing and she wasn't adamant about that. But, not to keep you in suspense - it's the kitchen countertop. It's probably from the 1970s, if not earlier. It's a yellowy-marble-like formica. Since there is so little of it it hasn't bothered us. Of course, walking in and seeing a nice gray SilverStone or something would be nice, especially with everything else being recently painted and new stainless appliances. The materials, even something really nice, wouldn't be much. Labor, that's another issue. We'll see. Also, I've been worried that an inspector might "call" the roof. She didn't think it would be a problem. Hope she's right. All in all, good news. Now, if the market would just ease up, even 2%. Fortunately we're in the "entry level" market and, while prices have dipped a bit in the past two years, that's still fairly strong market for sales. Even though I loathe to do one more thing to this house, anything that makes it feel like we're closer to moving is great!

That's about it for this week. 6YO doesn't have any camp this week so we're hanging out. Last night was baseball where I think he shocked himself with a nice hit off his second swing. Next time up he had a nice hit, too. That was fun! Tonight it's swim class. Tomorrow his team is going to the local - literally just up the street - minor league game, the Saint Paul Saints v. the Sioux City Explorers. Thursday is baseball practice and swim class. But, Friday he's been waiting for all summer.

For the last two years we've gone to Rainbow Family Camp. We weren't going to go this year because P has class and I didn't want to go alone. I just don't enjoy it that much. But, our fabulous friends, K and S, who have two boys with whom 6YO plays, asked if they could take him along. Ask me how thrilled 6YO was with that! S introduced 6YO to fishing so he adores her. I hope it goes well. He'll be in seventh heaven and us? We get to have a big night out - dinner, Sicko, and the 00:01 release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

Speaking of Sicko, did you hear that Canadian nurses were to get free admission to the film this Monday through Thursday? And, his website has this page about Canadian health care, etc.

So much reading, so little time...

Back in the US of A

We made our flight Friday morning and - with a few minor annoyances, courtesy of Northwest Airlines - returned to the US around 1 pm. I am making a point of saying "back in the US" rather than "back home." I am relieved to imagine that in less than a year from today we'll be living in Canada. Although much of this should be evident from earlier posts, here or on Traveling, we ended up absolutely loving Fredericton. And, things look promising with our academic connections. We can't wait to get back!

I'm catching up on some of the news. Looks like McCain is pretty much out of the running for '08. That thrills me since he personally insulted me - I mean, to my face - back when I was a constituent. I only caught a snippet of Bush's address the other day. Whine, whine, whine. I don't think he'd piss me off so much if he weren't so whiny, petulant, something! I'm also catching up the blogs - keeping my fingers crossed for the guys in Seattle, thrilled that Mary got a job - albeit temporary, etc.

That's about it for now. I have three weeks to get things ready for my family to arrive. My sister arrives on 5 August, my parents on 8 August, and my brother and sister-in-law on 11 August. Everyone leaves on 14/15 August. Whew! Throw page proofs in there somewhere - and finishing the laundry from vacation - and things will be busy.

On the immigration front - if anyone has any particular insight about moving, US to Canada - and I mean, actually moving your stuff - let me know. We'll be moving ourselves and can probably manage with a 17' rental. I'd love to find a company that has a truck with an extended cab, but I don't think they exist. We'd use something like PODS, but I don't think any of those companies are serving the Maritimes yet. So, all advice is welcome! Thanks!

Another day in Canada...

Check Traveling for the latest on our adventure!

The Latest...

Let's see, what's new? Yesterday we looked at the apartment that I've mentioned here before. The location was terrific and the yard - though not fenced - was amazing. Each year the landlord has the garden tilled for tenants! And, 6YO really wants to live there because he found bugs under the big tree! I wasn't particularly taken with the apartment, especially given the rent, but we were able to see a different apartment that may or may not be available this time next year. It had wonderfully large bedrooms! But, there are a lot of aspects of the old Victorian that leave a little something to be desired. The very steep stairs and lack of adequate railing in the attic bedroom that would be for 6YO is one.

So, we continue the conversation about renting v. buying, etc. There are two townhomes right downtown that looked intriguing. Of course we can't buy now, but we figured if we could see them then we'd know if we were interested should something become available at the right time. Yesterday evening we saw one and this morning, the other. Either one would be terrific except for the lack of yard. We've been going back and forth over things like yard v. no yard, downtown in exchange for bigger, etc. More "decisions, decisions."

I think we've identified all of the areas we'd consider living and the core of the area that we consider ideal. I think that next March I will probably line up a bunch of prospects and spend a week looking at whatever is available - rental and purchase - and take it from there. We've also got folks who will be keeping their ears to the ground for faculty members who might be looking for someone to stay in their home during sabbatical, etc. and who wouldn't mind us having our dog. Long shot, but you never know! While we don't have something lined up, I feel like we got a ton of information about neighborhoods, possibilities, etc. And, with mls.ca, we have tons more at our fingertips!

After lunch with a couple of UNB colleagues, we headed to Moncton, really wishing we could just stay. As P said, usually by now you're ready to get home. We've been on the road for 11 days! But, we would be very content to have stayed in F'ton another week!

Tomorrow we will spend the day in Halifax; hopefully visiting Pier 21 and the Discovery Centre. Then, our last night will be at a hotel near the airport. Early Thursday morning we'll be on our way back to the States - where I see Bush has a record low 29% approval rating.

This has been a terrific, albeit stressful at times, trip. We've learned more than I could have hoped about all kinds of relocation "stuff." We can't wait to get back and settle down. I wish it weren't a year off and I wish we had a lot more answers than we do right now. But, we just keep telling ourselves, all in due time.

In addition to the "relo recon," we had some fabulous vacationing - we watched Canada Day fireworks over the Halifax harbour, saw the lighthouse at Peggy's Cove, skipped rocks in Blue Rocks, ate seafood galore, went swimming in the Northumberland Strait, saw Hopewell Rocks at low and high tides, dipped our toes in the Bay of Fundy, walked across the bridge to Maine and back, and just had a generally great time. We shopped at the Atlantic Superstore and Chapters - as well as some nice independent booksellers, made our first visit to Canadian Tire with our friends in Port Williams, and discovered some wonderful shops in F'ton. We were here long enough to get used to looking for the "washrooms" and to not have to look closely at our coins to figure out which coin was which. I hadn't seen any US news until this evening when CNN was on in the restaurant. I've been reading the Globe and Mail and the Daily Gleaner. Life is good.

Maritimes Update!

Let's see - I posted here on Thursday after our driving over in the rain... Details of what we've done can be found over on Traveling. For my US2CA friends... if all goes according to plan we're headed to Fredericton.

On Friday morning, as planned, I called my contact here at UNB. He suggested we meet for coffee, that he would run down to the hotel after taking care of a few emails, etc. I went down to the lobby to get some change for the laundry and there was someone at the desk, waiting for the clerk to get off the phone. Having seen one photo on the website I had a feeling it might be him, but I waited. Sure enough, it was. I could tell right away that we were going to "hit it off." I brought him upstairs to meet P and 6YO. When we walked in the room, 6YO was watching tv and had spilled applesauce on his sock. P was in the bathroom. She came out having had water sprayed all over her by the "exploding toilet." There had been a problem with the chain in the tank and she was fixing it. We all had a good laugh - how nice that he wasn't some "stuffed shirt." So, off the two of us went to, yes, Tim Hortons! We talked for about an hour and a half with him basically asking, "What can we do to help make this work for you?" I won't try to detail more of the conversation and a lot of it is out of his hands, but let's say it's really, really nice to know that, at a minimum, someone is willing to advocate for you!

We spent the afternoon wandering around downtown, walking on part of the recreational trail, did a little shopping, and had a great time. We also drove around some neighborhoods we hadn't seen before. P contacted the law school folks and is going over for a visit on Monday. We have a much better "feel" for the area and, as long-time readers will know, what we can make happen with regard to academic opportunities is key. So, while nothing is cast in stone for the long-term, Fredericton is looking like the perfect place to start. So, unless something completely unexpected happens we'll be coming here next summer with the plan to, at a minimum, stay for my sabbatical.

What we do today depends - big surprise - on the weather. Tomorrow we'll spend some more time on campus and then check out the apartment at 4 pm. We've decided to drive back to Halifax Monday night so that we wake up having all of Tuesday there. We didn't get to either Pier 21 or the Discovery Centre earlier so we hope to do that before we have to leave.

So, there you have it. I think that Fredericton has everything we're looking for and a lot of "bonuses" that are attractive, too. And, of course, the possibility of things working out in the academic world are key. I'm bummed that milk is ridiculously expensive, that the USD is down to $1.049, and that we can't just buy before we sell, but, minor points considering the trek we've taken thus far! On to see what today holds!

Halifax v. Fredericton

I put a "travel update" on the Traveling blog. Here, I get to muse over what we've discovered in our Maritimes journey thus far.

We loved what we saw of Halifax and the other areas of Nova Scotia we visited. But, we also had beautiful weather. Today has been very gloomy and it's hard to get a real sense of the "life" of the city. As in every other Canada trip, the people are exceptionally pleasant, helpful, etc. So, on what measures shall we distinguish Halifax and Fredericton from each other?

Size, cost of living, access, weather, politics, economy, university, GLBT community...? We're going to see what the next couple of days bring, but at the moment we're very torn about which would be the better fit.

We like the size of F'ton.
We like the cost of housing in F'ton.
We like the easier access to Halifax. People might actually visit us there!
Weather is a toss up, though winters in Halifax do tend to be more mild.
Halifax wins in the politics category, hands down.
Halifax - and Nova Scotia in general - has a stronger economy.
University issues remain open - i.e., admission, etc. The big unknown(s).
Halifax, because of size, has more of a GLBT "presence."
Both have UU fellowships.
Both have decent shopping options.
We like the proximity of F'ton to Boston, but that's no dealbreaker.

So, fellow travelers, your thoughts?

Late June Potpourri

If you can, check out today's New York Times for an article on Canadian immigration and Maureen Dowd's op-ed, the latter available, I believe, only via Times Select.

For exciting news in my world, click here! I've been in the office all week going over the copyediting. I should have page proofs in late July. Woo-hoo!

And, in 72 hours we should be on the plane to Detroit/Halifax. I sure hope we make it! NPR did a story just this morning on the increase in flight cancellations, especially by NWA. Another account can be found here. Ugh!

I have been planning our itinerary, digging up all kinds of fun things to do, some of which I'm keeping a surprise - so stay tuned. As before, I do plan to post on the Traveling blog, so I hope you'll follow our adventures there.

Sneak peek: In Halifax we'll be spending Canada Day at Pier 21 and the Nova Scotia International Tattoo. Then, it's off to Wolfville/Port Williams to visit another US-to-Canada family. While in Fredericton we'll be looking at an apartment and I'm going to meet with the chair of the sociology department at UNB to talk about visiting the department in 08-09.

More soon, but right now it's back to the copyedits!

North Montana?

Today I went to see "Meet the Robinsons" (G) with 6YO. At one point, when asked where he is from, the main character says, "Canada." "Oh, you must mean North Montana!" responds one of the from-the-future-Robinson family, "No one's called it 'Canada' in years!"

I did some quick looking on-line and, not surprisingly, a number of Canadians didn't find this funny. And, in at least one version marketed outside North America it was changed to something about Austria and Switzerland.

Gotta run - but wanted to post that before I forgot!

"Don't Veto, Don't Obey"

The New York Times
June 22, 2007
Editorial

"Don’t Veto, Don’t Obey"

President Bush is notorious for issuing statements taking exception to hundreds of bills as he signs them. This week, we learned that in a shocking number of cases, the Bush administration has refused to enact those laws. Congress should use its powers to insist that its laws are obeyed.

The Government Accountability Office, a nonpartisan arm of Congress, investigated 19 provisions to which Mr. Bush objected. It found that six of them, or nearly a third, have not been implemented as the law requires. The G.A.O. did not investigate some of the most infamous signing statements, like the challenge to a ban on torture. But the ones it looked into are disturbing enough.

In one case, Congress directed the Pentagon in its 2007 budget request to account separately for the cost of military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was a perfectly appropriate request, but Mr. Bush issued a signing statement critical of the rule, and the Pentagon withheld the information. In two other cases, federal agencies ignored laws requiring them to get permission from Congressional committees before taking particular actions.

The Bush administration’s disregard for these laws is part of its extraordinary theory of the “unitary executive.” The administration asserts that the president has the sole authority to supervise and direct executive officers, and that Congress and the courts cannot interfere. This theory, which has no support in American history or the Constitution, is a formula for autocracy.

Other presidents have issued signing statements, but none has issued as many, or done so with the same contemptuous attitude toward the co-equal branches of government. The G.A.O. report makes clear that Mr. Bush’s signing statements were virtually written instructions to executive agencies to flout acts of Congress. Senator Robert Byrd, Democrat of West Virginia, has said that the report shows that Mr. Bush “is constantly grabbing for more power” and trying to push Congress “to the sidelines.”

Members of Congress have a variety of methods available to make the administration obey the law. They should call the agency heads up to Capitol Hill to explain their intransigence. And they should use the power of the purse, the authority the founders wisely vested in the people’s branch, as a check on a runaway executive branch.

When the Bush presidency ends, there will be a great deal of damage to repair, much of it to the Constitutional system. Congress should begin now to restore the principle that even the president and those who work for him are not above the law.

Back in the 'hood

I returned to the Twin Cities on Saturday evening, 16 June. I've been playing catch-up and trying to get on track with work, working out, etc. The big news is that I finally received my PR card! Yes, first thing Monday morning. So, now we're all "official." Yippee!

The other news is that we were awakened around 2:30 last night by gunshots. We live on a corner, across from an apartment building where there have been more than a few problems as of late. Several police cruisers soon arrived. A police officer told one fof the guys on the sidewalk to get off his phone. He did not. We then watched as several police officers got him down on the ground and cuffed. A neighbor followed up today and, according to the police report, 12 casings were found in front of the building. I am so ready to go.

I'm now working through the copyediting of my forthcoming book and spending time with 6YO who is now out of school. We leave for Halifax on Saturday the 30th. I do hope to post regularly while we're on the road, though I will probably go ahead and post to the "Traveling..." blog rather than dual post.

Meanwhile, hope all is well with you! On to Canada!

Planes, trains...

Not everyone in my world has knows about this blog. So, my last few travel posts appear both here as well as on another blog, Traveling without Unraveling. Rather than continue to post twice, if you're interested in reading about what's happening while I'm on the road, please click here. And, when I'm back and/or posting about Canada, etc. I'll resurface here. Thanks!

Sunday, 10 June 2007

I'm now in Nykoping, Sweden, a small town about 100 km outside of Stockholm. Since my flight leaves at 7 am I decided to book a room closer to the airport. I don't even recall if it would have been possible to get the bus from the city that early!

This morning, after another nice breakfast, I went to the Nobel Museum. I could have stayed much longer watching all the mini-films, but after about 2 hours I decided it was time for lunch. It's a small museum and has only been opened since 2001, but it is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Then I made my way to the City Terminal and found the gate for the 14.30 bus to Skavsta airport. I had a hard time staying awake on the bus! We got to the airport around 15.50. I then found the local bus. The bus driver was really nice and dropped me off at (almost) the right place.

I got here to the Hotel Wiktoria and checked in and, yes, they have wireless. Woo-hoo. But, let me tell you about this room. I had read about this in an on-line review and couldn't quite envision it. But, the toilet, sink, and shower are all one. You slide the basin to the side when using the shower. I'm not kidding! The room has a fridge, tv, sofa, table, etc., but it's almost like being in a cruise ship or train cabin. But, the good news is that they provide drinks and sandwiches in the evening. Additionally, even though I have to leave at 05.00 I can still get breakfast. And, unlike Stockholm where I was on a really busy street, it is very, very quiet.

Well, just thought that since I had an opportunity I'd post an update. Oh, my accomplishment of the day was this. Sitting on the Tunnelbana, waiting for it to pull away, watching the electronic sign that tells you where you're going, the next stop, etc., I knew that it was wrong, not me! In two days I managed to get quite comfortable with getting around, but I think if I stayed a few more days I'd have really settled in. I also found that, with a tiny bit of Dutch and German - and, of course, English - I was able to read a fair amount of signs. Not much, but enough.

I'm really glad I took the opportunity to come up this way and see something new. I had really wanted to go back to Paris - especially since I can hobble along in fractured French - but I felt compelled to visit a place I'd never been and would be less likely to have the opportunity to visit in the future. Another good thing is that it's really the first time I've traveled to a new non-English speaking country since about 1980. That is, in recent years I've been to the Netherlands, Belgium, France, and Germany, but I'd been to them before and have "a sense of things." Since I work with students who are returning from spending a semester abroad it's also been a nice reminder of the learning curve and "culture shock" of arriving in a new country where you understand so little.

I guess that's it - more as it happens!

Saturday, 9 June 2007

I forgot to mention this... When I arrived yesterday, there were trucks – picture flatbed trucks with sides about chest high on the beds – filled with teenagers with beer and tree branches driving through the city center, blaring music and, well, looking the most like a Pride float of anything I’ve seen outside of a Pride parade. Turns out that there are huge celebrations for high school graduation! The families come out to stand and cheer, many carrying posters with a photo of their son/daughter as a child. I am not kidding when I say that you could smell the beer in the trucks while standing on the sidewalk.

Other miscellaneous thoughts/observations…

The Tunnelbana/subway has posters for a campaign against Chlamydia in which fingers with condoms on them are pictured. That’s one of those, “Won’t see this in the US moments.” Somewhere else – I don’t recall if it was here or Germany – there was a poster with condoms on fruits and veggies.

One of the guidebooks said that it is very unusual for the Swedish to acknowledge a stranger in public; you know, a smile or some such. I think they’re right.

On the “cool” list – picture, to the side of a wide stairway (e.g., in the T-bana), a section of stairs 8"-10” wide with a flat part on either side. I can’t really describe it; maybe you’ve seen it. It enables someone to walk up the stairs while pushing a stroller or bike at the same time. I’ve seen this once in the US, in a relatively obscure part of a park in Minneapolis. Very cool.

Speaking of strollers – I saw more people with strollers – with children in them – on escalators today than I think I’ve seen in all my years in the US. And the elevators are a lot more accessible here, too. ??

Other things I love – the light flush/heavy flush option on toilets. What I don’t love – paying 5 kroner – about 75 cents – to use the bathroom at the mall. I don’t mind pay toilets at all – they tend to be clean – but 75 cents seems a bit much.

The transit system here is truly exceptional. You hear that, but, my, it is really true. Coming from the Twin Cities where many people can't imagine why anyone would want to spend more on, not improving, but providing mass transit...

Where are the homeless? I did some quick research and Stockholm does have a homeless population. This is the only city of its size I've ever been in where I've not encountered a single person who appeared homeless or was asking for money. Not one single person - not near the T-bana, not in the parks, nothing. I don't know if that's a good thing or bad. The "homeless count" suggests that the percentage is so small its not evident. On the other hand, some cities have such a hostile approach to homelessness that they keep them hidden. I'd like to know more about this.

It reminds me of something I didn't post about - my ride to the airport. I was the only passenger and the driver was a - I'm guessing - thirty-something fellow who had been born in El Paso to a GI father and a German mother. His brother - a Marine - and sister both live in the US. He wants nothing of it. He said, "Life is too hard in the States," and described how poorly he would be paid, etc. I was thinking about that here - the Swedish "safety net" is supposed to be pretty amazing. And, from Wikipedia - though I've seen it elsewhere - "all working parents are entitled to 16 months' paid leave per child, the cost being shared between employer and State. To encourage greater paternal involvement in child-rearing, a minimum of 3 months out of the 18 is required to be used by the "minority" parent, in practice usually the father, and some Swedish political parties on the Left argue for legislation to oblige families to divide the 18 months equally between both parents."

Why is it I keep thinking about how backward the US is on so many issues...?

Okay, today’s report, other than the above –

I got up and made a pilgrimage - by bus, tram, train, and bus – to the Kungens Kurva IKEA. Yes, it's true. L-girl and AAA – I thought of you both! I hadn’t decided whether I was really going to do it or not, but decided to go for it. It was huge, huge, huge and, unlike Amsterdam, actually had stuff that I’ve not seen at home. All I bought was a stuffed animal as a gift for 6YO who has been pestering me for one. I'm traveling with one backpack this weekend so I'm keeping the purchases light!

Then I took a bus and train back to the city center and took the ferry over to the Vasa Museum. This is supposed to be one of the top attractions here. I almost skipped it because I just wasn’t that interested. I am so glad I didn’t. It was just fascinating. In 1628, the ship sank on its first voyage, right in the harbor. In 1961 it was raised and painstakingly restored. It was just incredible to see both the ship and the video about the restoration.

I wandered around for a while, watching some of the Stockholm Marathon. It was way too hot for a marathon, if you ask me. They didn’t.

Later in the afternoon I took the Royal Canal Tour. Tours like these always sound so hokey, but I have found that they are one of the very best ways to get a quick overview of a large city. And it was nice and cool on the boat.

Then, I found – you won’t believe it – a food court, Kungshallen. It had been listed in Lonely Planet as a great place to grab a bite. Since I’m alone it’s hardly worth taking a leisurely meal with wait staff. I had some wonderful chicken tikka masala. This, so I hear, is the #1 dish in London. So, I waited for Stockholm.

That’s about it. Skype has been very unreliable – don’t know if it’s this connection or what – so P and I set up gmail chat which was great. So, that’s my day. Tomorrow, after a leisurely morning, I have to take the bus back to Skavsta airport then take the city bus into Nykoping where I am spending the night because my flight leaves at 07.00 on Monday morning. Once I get back to Frankfurt-Hahn, the bus to Trier doesn’t leave for 2 and a half hours. I should get back to campus around 14.00. I don’t think I’ll have any Internet access for the interim, so, that’s it for now!

Oh, one more thing – last night at 23.00 there was still light in the sky. At 4.00 it was light! I checked and, tonight, sunset is 22.00. Sunrise tomorrow is 03.34.

Updated Sunday morning: I woke up at 04.02. Fortunately, I was able to go back to sleep! :-)

P.S.

I was doing a little reading about the area in which I'm staying and, apparently, Mats Sundin, of the Toronto Maple Leafs, was born here in Bromma in 1971. Always happy to find a Canada connection. Also of interest, Gunnar and Alva Myrdal lived here as well.

Friday, 8 June 2007

Writing at Frankfurt-Hahn Airport: So far, so good. Coming up to stay at the airport the night before was such a great idea. I got up and dressed and literally crossed the street to check in for my flight. I then went back to the hotel and had a delightful breakfast. Afterward, I was able to go back to my room, use the facilities, etc., grab my bag and come over to the airport where security was a breeze – and the agents so pleasant. I am now sitting at the gate waiting to board. Although my German hosts referred to this airport as “in no man’s land,” it’s just great. It’s small, yes, but that makes it easy to get around and it has lots of services.

I have wondered if I’m taking my life in my hands – more so than is usually the case with flying – by taking Ryan Air – a European no frills/discount airline, but all indicators are that it’s just fine. I’ll add a report after I actually fly! For those of you unfamiliar with them, I’m flying from Frankfurt-Hahn, about an hour from Frankfurt I’d guess, to Stockholm, round trip, for 74 euro, or about USD$100. The bus from and to Trier will have been 24 euro, no more than a cab ride in the city. I also have to take a bus from the regional airport near Stockholm to the city proper and it’s a bit more expensive, but, all in all, this is quite nice.

I should put in a plug for the hotel, too. B+B is a French chain that appears to be rapidly expanding into Germany. I checked in last night, stepped out of the elevator where the hallway lights got brighter because someone had entered the area - what a great environmental measure! - and accessed my room by using a code on the door keypad. It was, of course, small, but very nice. One of the things I love about traveling in Europe is the use of duvets. Then there’s the clean simplicity of things. Love it! As it turned out I didn’t sleep “great” as I had hoped – I never seem to do so the first night in a new space. And, being most familiar with hotels in major urban areas of the US, I think it probably bothered me a bit that there are no chains on the doors! But, then, I did once have someone be given the key to my room and walk in only to find me there! Anyway, at 41 euro this was a real find! And, I checked this morning and they have “family rooms” with one double bed and two singles for 59 euro. I’m already planning for when we can make the great European tour! Don’t know what year that might happen with all the other plans, but, we’ll see! I really want P to see Aachen, a small town not far from here and there’s a B+B hotel there, too! ;-)

I guess that’s it for now. We should begin boarding soon. More as it happens!

Friday evening update from my room in Stockholm-Bromma:
The flight was great. As a discount airline it’s one where you don’t get a seat assignment, but I scored an exit row. Very comfy. The flight was a little under 2 hours. We landed at Skavsta Airport, another great little “outside the city” airport. I got some kroner from a cash machine – Sweden declined to adopt the euro – and got a ticket for the bus to Stockholm City. At 199 kroner round trip, that’s USD$28.48 – call it $30 with what the bank will add – that means that my travel to Stockholm, including last night's hotel, ran about USD$215. Not bad. BTW, I'm mentioning all these costs for those who might be curious as to how cheaply you can actually do this.

The ride was about and hour and twenty minutes and I had trouble keeping my eyes open, but I thought I was silly to sleep, even if all I was missing was the countryside. When we arrived I – eventually! – found the tourist office where I was able to buy a transit pass. I had booked a hotel on the outskirts because a) it’s really inexpensive at about USD$61, and b) it’s one way to see more than the tourist center of downtown! I’m really getting my walking in though! I finally made it to the hotel and my great IKEA-like room where I was able to shower and cool off. I then headed back to the city center and wandered around Gamla Stan, or Old Town. I hadn’t had lunch and was starving! I’m not much for traditional Swedish food and I refused to patronize the McDonalds, Burger Kings, or Pizza Huts I had passed but I happened upon an Italian restaurant – always a favorite – and got a table. I was flipping through my Lonely Planet – Stockholm and, what a coincidence, the first thing I had tabbed was this restaurant! I had a great artichoke and mushroom pizza and a Coke Light. Yum. I wandered around a bit more, over some bridges, near Parliament and the Royal Palace, and back to T-Centralen. I took a different train this time so that I could connect to a bus that takes me right to the hotel. I had had enough walking!

So, that’s it for today. I feel like I know how to get around most of the areas I plan to visit. And, because I decided to bring my computer I was able to go to the transit site and get detailed instructions for getting from Point A to Point B. But, I’m exhausted. It’s after 21.00 and still very bright. I didn’t check, but I hear it gets dark around 22.00 or so. More as it happens!

Hello from Germany

Just thought I'd post a brief, "Hi, I'm fine," note. Here's the general recap - I left the US last Saturday evening, 2 June, and arrived in London on Sunday morning around 9.00. Made my way to Victoria Station and on to the bookstores of Charing Cross Road - via Westminster Abbey, the Horse Guards, Parliament, "Big Ben," Downing Street, and many theatres. I went to several bookstores (but not Borders) and hung out at the cafe of Foyles Bookshop where I was able to use Skype to call home. I love Skype. I then made my way back to Victoria Station - having been unsuccessful in finding an original Bloomsbury hardcover of the first Harry Potter book - and to the airport. Just as I had accidentally passed the morning's tourist spots, I found myself on the mall at Saint James's Park headed toward Buckingham Palace, quite unintentionally. It was weird to see the very spot where I had stood for a photo almost 28 years earlier! A couple of hours later I was on my way to Luxembourg. I arrived around 21.00 and was met by one of my colleagues from MN and my host in Trier. We arrived in Trier just before 22.00. The major accomplishment of the day was that my luggage arrived, too! Yea!

I spent M/T/W of this week getting settled - i.e., getting a user ID and installing the software I needed to use their W-LAN. I've had great German food - I love that nice, fattening, heavy German food. My hips don't, but I do! Monday evening we went out with several members of the department. Tuesday we had our first class and it went really well. We have 14 students. One from France, one from Luxembourg, one from Romania, two from Turkey, one daughter of US military, and 8 German students. I think it's going to be a good group. My colleague teaches tomorrow - Race and Class in the US; I teach Tuesday - Social Class and Patterns of Consumption.

Today I had a great day. I spent the morning prepping for class. At 13.00 a couple of folks from the department picked me up to go for a hike. We walked through the forest, up wooden steps, across swinging bridges, past several waterfalls and ended up at a restaurant beneath Burg Ramstein, an old fortification. You can see pictures here. It was just terrific! Then, we went back to Trier and I caught the bus for the Frankfurt-Hahn airport.

Yes, I thought about going to the G8, but decided to spend the weekend in Stockholm instead. Keep your fingers crossed that Ryan Air gets me there! I won't bore you with the details having to do with bus schedules, etc., but I'm staying at this incredible new (French) hotel across the street from the terminal so that I can catch my morning flight. For 41 euro, about USD$55 I have a fabulous room with free wireless and a flatscreen tv. I think that tonight I might get a really good night's sleep!

If all goes well I'll try to post a note from Stockholm. Meanwhile, four weeks from today we arrive in Fredericton! Hope all is well with you!

Potpourri

Time is flying. Exams ended last week, quickly followed by a flurry of Commencement activities. Early Monday morning we got started painting the kitchen; continued on Tuesday. Still not done, but mother-not-in-law arrived this morning so things are on hold for a few days. And, I've got to do some "school" work this week to get ready for summer teaching. I've been keeping up with folks' blogs, but not having much of a chance to post comments.

Monday evening we had an unfortunate experience. Around 10 pm, while watching a movie, we heard our neighbors start fighting. Short version - it got ugly fast and we called the police. We were mainly motivated to call because their five year old was home and parenting was part of the argument. Things settled down, the cops came, that was that. We've been neighbors for six years and this is a first. They are very, very Christian; very traditional, etc. But, we've got a fine "neighborly" relationship and the kids sometimes play together.

Yesterday, T, the wife/mom, came over bearing flowers. It was so sad. She came over to apologize, tell us that she had experienced moral failure in that she had cursed at her husband. Her account went from bad to worse. Clearly, in her mind, this was all her fault. Of course we had heard how it started. Him: "When I come home I just want to be left alone." He was annoyed that his son was still up at 9pm and that his wife had spoken to him when he wanted to be left alone. Yikes! Anyway, we chatted for a while and finally I just said, words to the effect of, "I know we come from very different backgrounds... but you need to know that you weren't the only one who was wrong." Her response was that, "...although his behavior had been shaming" her reaction was "more wrong because I screamed at my husband." I said something like sometimes the person who doesn't raise his or her voice can be saying the more abusive things. I didn't want to start quoting what we had heard, but it was so sad to hear her claiming all responsibility. She said that they were talking with their elders and their pastor... She said something I didn't understand about "being in the light," but I wasn't inclined to ask. It was just so sad. Everything we had surmised about their relationship was pretty much verified. Mr. Big Man. Yeah, right. And did I mention that we think there's some drug trafficking going on in the apartment across the street? Unfortunately with the windows open we get to hear all the "thumpa-thumpa" music at 2 am, etc.

So, that's it from here. Between now and next Friday I have to finish prepping things for the Germany course and finish posting everything for the on-line course here. I have to do some shopping before leaving. Hopefully we'll finish the kitchen. Mother-not-in-law leaves next Wednesday. So, on Saturday, 2 June I leave for Trier, Germany via London and Luxembourg. I have a nine hour layover in London so I hope to get into Victoria Station and spend some time in a few bookstores. I'm scheduled to spend the middle weekend in Stockholm. Then, I return on Saturday, 16 June, via Luxembourg and Amsterdam. I have a seven hour layover in A'dam. If all goes according to plan I'll go to my favorite pizza place, go for a long walk, and stock up on Gouda. In an unusual move I'm not taking my laptop. Between security, the intentionally long layovers to do some shopping, and the lack of connection at my lodging, no point in dragging it around. While I will have to spend some time at the Internet cafe in Trier and I'll keep up on my reading, I probably won't post much - unless of course there is big news! The German keyboard is frustrating and I should be out enjoying the city!

So, that's about it from here. Just wanted folks to know that I'm reading - and counting the days until we arrive in Halifax! Cheers!

House, apartment, tent?

We have, since the beginning of this whole immigration enterprise, debated where we would move and whether or not we'd decide or let other things (e.g., jobs, school...) somewhat decide for us. We've gone through phases of thinking we would buy a house, build a house, rent first, buy a condo, and back through the round several times over. For a whole host of reasons that I won't bore you with we recently decided that the smartest thing to do is to rent first.

I had previously - during an earlier iteration of rental mania - found a bunch of decent websites about rental units. I visited them again yesterday and found a place where the landlord actually listed anticipated vacancy dates - through summer 2008! And, we were really intrigued with one of the listings. So, I emailed him. My big concern was finding a place that would be suitable for our needs/desires and that would accept a dog. So far we've exchanged several emails in which he's given me all kind of info. Our dog is no problem and they're willing to not let it to anyone else until after we have a chance to see it in July.

I don't want to be too jazzed about it because so many things could happen; e.g., we don't like it or the current tenants decide not to relocated as planned. But, it's downtown - one mile from the university, one mile from a French Immersion elementary school, walking distance to the riverfront, and - drum roll please - across the street from the Farmers' Market! It's more than we had planned on spending - isn't that always the way - on a rental. But, it includes heat and water, has a garage and a parking place (even though the location will allow us to keep getting by with one car), and has basement storage.

So, we'll see what happens. I said that even if it doesn't work out the mental exercise of evaluating the pros and cons and really deciding what are priorities and what are not is useful. We'd still like to buy or build, but since so much is up in the air regarding whether or not we stay there, etc. this seems like the most reasonable plan to take. Plus, we really get a chance to learn the neighborhoods, etc.; something I swore we'd do before buying in a place about which we know nothing.

Countdown to Halifax: 7 weeks from Saturday!

Funding!

I got the grant! That means that I'll be able to plan at least one, perhaps two, trips to Canada to meet with folks who've agreed to participate in the "Magnetic North" project. Yippee! Most likely that means that if I can't swing it in October when we have a long weekend, I'll plan to visit Toronto next January (yeah, silly me) when I'm not teaching. I'm going to Portland, OR in April of next year so I may try to add Vancouver to that trip. Rock on!

Hope your weather is as beautiful as ours is here in the Twin Cities!

Yet one more reason...

First, I appreciate the debate over whether hate crime legislation is the way to go. That is, I appreciate the arguments for and against increased penalties when something is deemed a hate crime. "Hate crimes under current federal law apply to acts of violence against individuals on the basis of race, religion, color, or national origin." But, it seems to me that if a jurisdiction chooses to pass such legislation, as has the federal government, it should include sexual orientation.

The House, yesterday, passed legislation that would add sexual orientation and gender identity to existing hate crime legislation. The Senate is expected to pass a similar bill. Now, I know you'll be shocked, but, yes, Bush plans to veto the legislation if/when it reaches his desk.

Let's see - Congress passes legislation to set a timeline on Iraq. Bush vetoes. Congress, it appears, will pass the hate crime legislation. Bush plans to veto. What a @#$%.

Best Places to Live

Check out Money Sense and the "Canada's Best Places to Live" rankings.

Masochism

I happened upon the last twenty minutes or so of the first GOP "debate." I kept thinking, "Someday I'm going to look back and say that the best thing I ever did was get my son out of the country." Somebody wants to eliminate a federal income tax. Somebody, digging at Clinton, spouted off about how horrible national health care would be. Somebody, I think it was evil, evil Duncan Hunter, said that we "had license to take military action" against Iran. Throw in Sam Brownback and a little pro-life rhetoric and the biggest #@$% in the world, John McCain... ugh. Pathetic. Just pathetic.

BTW, the debate was held at the Reagan Library. Nancy "Just Say No" Reagan with there, seated with Schwarznegger. She isn't looking good. Very, very frail.

In other news, did you hear about Joan Baez being denied permission to perform with John Mellencamp at Walter Reed? I don't think a day goes by that I don't hear something that makes me even more disgusted. Is there a point at which it won't be possible to be further disgusted?

Well, so much for the uplifting post.

Vote Kucinich.

Grrrr...

So, there I was. Settling into a hot bath, relaxing, and catching up on the latest issue of Mother Jones. Now I realize it might not make sense to relax with that particular magazine, because so much of the material is distressing. But, it's distressing in a "thank goodness someone can articulate what I think" kind of way.

Imagine my surprise when I read this letter to the editor:
"Although I appreciateed Cameron Scott's 'The Gay Marriage Stimulus Package," what about the fiscal liabilities once you consider Social Security? Wouldn't recognizing those additional marriages put additional strain on the already underfunded Social Security system? And you assume that in same-sex couples, both work and would move up the economic ladder. How about those who might marry the unemployed or quit to raise dependents?"
Nancy Mendez, Silver Spring, Maryland

I'm choking on the heterosexism. And to read that kind of crap in Mother Jones? Spare me.

PR Cards

Just a quick note to tell you all that we are now in possession of PR cards for P and 6YO. It is surely one of the most fabulous things ever to see 6YO's face smiling at me from just below the Canadian flag and the words "Government of Canada." Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Or something like that! Now to get my photo off to them!

Whoosh!

I can't believe my last post was two weeks ago tomorrow, as I sat in my room in Victoria, looking out at the harbour...

I just had to post this quick update - I had a great time in Victoria, met with several of our cyberfamily, and so forth. I took the red-eye back and remembered that I just don't do well on three hours of sleep any more. It took me several days to begin to catch up from a week's absence. Then, last Thursday I thought my head was going to explode. The doctor got a BP reading of 162/108 so I'm back on meds. I don't really know why it's up. Maybe it was the "you're over 50 now, you get to have a colonoscopy!" date approaching. BTW, I will NOT be serving as the colonoscopy poster child any time soon. Anyway, after a week and a half of headaches, procedure prep, post-sedation delirium, etc. things seem to be getting back to normal. Thus, my lack of posts following the trip, etc.

The good news/bad news story is that P's and 6YO's PR cards have arrived. My photograph, however, was unacceptable and I have to send a new one. I guess with everything else having gone so smoothly I can't complain about this little delay!

So, a short post, I know. But, trying to get things on an even keel. And, while I'm not posting much of the way in comments, know that I'm reading the other blogs and loving hearing how everyone's doing.

It's hard to believe that nine weeks from Saturday we arrive in Halifax! Of course, between here and then we have finals, commencement, one week with the mother-in-law (or should that be mother-not-in-law?) in town, two weeks in Europe... I'll post as I can, but know that I'm here! BTW, Tom and Emilio, tomorrow night in my Sexuality and the Law class we're reading some immigration cases and I'm going to show the clip that's on the Through Thick and Thin website!

More as it happens!

Canadian Soldiers

And then there's the bad news. I turned on the tv, anxious for a dose of CBC. It was all hockey until one of the guys said that more Canadian soldiers had been killed in Afghanistan. What was so refreshing, even in the face of the tragic news, was the genuine reaction of the broadcaster to include a comment that I wish I had written down. It was something along the lines of things having to change. You don't see that in the US media, at least I haven't.

Greetings from Victoria, BC!

I thought that it was time for an update. And, since today is the first anniversary of this blog, all the more reason to post, eh?

I arrived in Seattle on Sunday morning and had a delightful lunch with Daniel and Alan of Would Be Canadians. It was just great to meet them in "real time and space" and compare notes, etc. BTW, if you find yourself in Seattle, I recommend a visit to Julia's on Broadway. I then ventured back to the hotel and took care of some odds-n-ends before my next appointment. Since I was going to be working at Seattle University, I stayed at the Silver Cloud - Broadway, also recommended. Although I didn't need to use them, any "regular hotel" room that includes a mini-fridge and microwave is high on my list. Also, it was super clean.

That evening I met my friend and colleague, J, who had recruited me to do the work. We went to Cafe Septieme where I had - I was in the Pacific Northwest after all - salmon on a really good risotto with a balsamic reduction. In a word - yum! Aside from the "work briefing" it was great to catch up. We hadn't visited in several years. And, I finally got to meet her partner of six years. I was really beginning to think she was the imaginary partner. Not really, but it was great to be able to finally meet her.

Fortunately, J had crafted a very civilized schedule for me with my first meeting on Monday at 10:30 am. I spent the day "interviewing" members of the department, met with students, etc. I had a break and then went to dinner with J and two other members of the department. We had a great time chatting about this, that, and the other. One of them is Canadian, too! A bonus, to be sure. They were very interested in my process and project. We at at La Spiga where, no surprise, I splurged on the Tiramisu.

Tuesday was a repeat with a late start and a day full of interviews. I had another late afternoon break and then met J for our debriefing. We wandered over to the Wildrose, a predominantly lesbian bar, for a bite. We debriefed and visited and debriefed and visited. I was able to get caught up on all the disciplinary-dyke-drama that I miss by being in the Midwest. Oh, that's disciplinary as in the discipline in which I teach, not as in "bondage and..." Before I knew it, it was almost 10 pm. So, we said our goodbyes and I got packed for an early departure.

Seattle is always terrific. I didn't wander beyond Capitol Hill at all. Not even to Elliott Bay Book Co. But, I had a wonderful time nonetheless. The department I was visiting is full of incredibly friendly and dynamic people and scholars. The urban campus is beautiful. And, I got to visit an old friend and respected colleague. And, they paid my way and paid me, too. All in all, it was a fabulous trip.

This morning I was up at 5:45, waiting for the shuttle at 7. After a few other stops I was deposited at Pier 69 for the Victoria Clipper. After an uneventful trip - during which I actually got some grading done - I arrived in Victoria. The customs officer looked at my passport and said, "Are you moving back?" Alas, I had to inform her that we hadn't moved to Canada yet, only landed. What do you mean, you might say, "only" landed?!? You're right. We've LANDED! But, we anxiously await the next phase of our journey. Anyway, cleared, off I went.

I had lunch with M, one of the participants in the immigration project. We had visited here almost two years ago and it was great to both catch up and keep going with the project. I won't share details because I am trying to keep the project and the personal somewhat separate - though it's hard with all the gray lines of relationships - but I will say that she is very happy and that living in Canada very, very much agrees with her! We had lunch at Santiago's which, I just realized, as I'm typing, is the place that I think I'm going tonight with Mary and Diane, the women from Canada-is-Calling. The food was tasty, so no problem!

I'm now in my hotel where, from the desk, I can see the harbor. Or, perhaps I should write, "harbour." The Coho Ferry is several hundred meters away and I can see the Canadian flag waving in the breeze. What a view. I can't tell you how much I enjoy seeing that. But, then, if you're reading this you probably have a very good idea!

I'm staying at the Days Inn - Victoria on the Harbour. This is where P and I stayed when we did our quickie honeymoon in May 2005. Unfortunately I had to come alone this time. Bummer. If you come to Vic via the Clipper it's a great place to stay. It's across the street from the ferry terminal and within walking distance of much of what you might wish to do here. What isn't within walking distance is accessible via tour bus or public transit. And, for those who prefer, there are car rental locations within walking distance. Also, this time of year I was able to book a room on-line, queen bed with a harbour view, for 79.20 CAD, including a continental breakfast. Pretty good, I think.

So, that brings you up to speed, I think. Hope all is well. It's snowing in Minnesota. Today is 11 April. Our first snow of this "season" was on 11 October. These pictures were taken then. Six months? What's wrong with that picture? I mean, really.

More as it happens! As if you had any doubt.

Family Movie Night

Scene: Mama, Mommy, and 6YO are watching Charlotte’s Web. Fern has just rescued Wilbur, the pig, from certain death. Scene changes abruptly to bacon frying in a pan.

6YO: What’s that?

Mommy: [Having already discussed that bacon = pig, says, deadpan] Pig.

6YO: It’s not a pig!

Mama: It’s irony.

6YO: [With the certainty of a six year old] Yeah, it’s not a pig, it’s irony.

Books, movies, etc.

A few things I'm reading...

Dead Centre: Hope, Possibility, and Unity for Canadian Progressives
Jamey Heath
Interesting, especially for one who doesn't (yet) understand a lot of the details of Canadian politics.

American Fascists: The Christian Right and the War on America
Chris Hedges
Recommended by another soon-to-be expat. Compelling. Reminds me of the Huey Long quote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the American flag.''

Differences That Matter: Social Policy And the Working Poor in the United States And Canada
Dan Zuberi
Nice piece of scholarship, but readable for the non-academic interested in the issues.

Mercy Among the Children
David Adams Richards
Recommended by a guy in New Brunswick - Richards, now living in Toronto, has set many, if not all of his fiction in New Brunswick - this is truly the most depressing book I've ever read. I don't know if I'll finish it.

The Birth House
Ami McKay
I don't read much fiction, but I couldn't put this one down. One of my favorite books ever, and that's saying a lot. As an aside, I was fascinated by the choice of covers, Canadian vs. US. Check the links. The Canadian hardcover had the woman holding her belly. The US hardcover was a bench in front of a house. Found that curious. Again, I loved this book!

Aside from the kids' flicks (e.g., Flushed Away, Charlotte's Web...) that I see, I don't often get to see movies. Over break I made a point, encouraged by l-girl's post, to see The US vs. John Lennon. I highly recommend it. I also saw All the King's Men (Sean Penn) which was okay. Yesterday I tried to watch The Battle of Algiers, but turned it off after about 45 minutes. It was fascinating. The parallels to today, as many of you no doubt have thought about, are more than striking. But, I just couldn't watch any more of it. Which reminds me, I had the same reaction to last week's issue of Newsweek, "Voices of the Fallen." I am just so sickened by the course of events it leaves me both outraged and hopeless.

In a word: r-e-v-o-l-u-t-i-o-n

Travel, travel!

It's that time of the semester where things get crazy busy and one starts counting the days until Commencement. In particular, I'm thinking about travels. A few things have come up in that regard and I'm just thrilled.

As some of you know, I travel to Seattle and Victoria beginning on 8 April. I'm really looking forward to meeting some of you in real time and to just being in places I enjoy so much. On 2 June I leave for Trier, Germany to teach a two week seminar (Social Inequality: The United States) with one of my colleagues. I've booked a ticket to Luxembourg - it's closer than Frankfurt - via a 9 hour layover in London. I fly back on 16 June, via a 7 hour layover in Amsterdam. Enough time, barring the unexpected, to run into town(s) for a bit. I really wanted to return via Amsterdam so that I could bring back a stash of old Gouda. Hmmm, maybe stash is the wrong word to use in this context!

While I've known about the trip to Trier for a while, the real unexpected aspect is that I decided to go to Stockholm for the middle weekend. I got a ticket on Ryan Air - an adventure in itself - for 74 euro. I was even able to book reasonable accommodations - no small feat. I have two students who just returned from a semester in Sweden so they're giving me their tips on prioritizing what to do. And, although it's hardly "tourism," I don't know that I can resist going to IKEA just to have been in one in Sweden. Lame, I know...

I get back on 16 June and two weeks later we fly into Halifax! We'll spend a couple of days there - including going to the Tattoo on Canada Day! Then, we spend a few days near Wolfville/Port Williams. Later that week we're going to Fredericton, NB to check things out. We return to Halifax on the 10th and fly out on the 12th. Can't wait!

The only "glitch" in the plans, thus far, is that, apparently, flying in and out of Great Britain they permit you only to carry your wallet, ID, and meds on board. Everything else is to be checked. Thus, I won't be bringing my laptop on that trip. Since I'm not only changing planes, but carriers, I just don't want to risk checking it. I'll have to rely on Internet cafes - generally not a problem in Europe - to post now and again.

So, that's the latest. Right now it's dreadfully cool and rainy here. But, summer is coming! I've got more to post that's less upbeat, but I think I'll save that for later. Nothing personal, just the dreadful state of current affairs. Hope all is well with you!

Friday Evening

Not much news. A week ago we had just landed. Can't top that.

Looking forward to meeting up with folks in Seattle and Victoria in early April. I have a feeling that the next few months will just fly. And, that's great because I can't wait for our trip to Nova Scotia and New Brunswick in July. Can't wait. Did I mention that I can't wait?

I'm thrilled beyond words to have landed and to be one step closer to getting to Canada, but I wish that there was more I could actually be doing! I can't really do much regarding the move, etc. until it's closer. If anything I should be working on the house every day, but can't do that very easily with 6YO under foot. Summer projects, summer projects. Unfortunately, the housing market has really taken a hit. I'm not terribly confident, given the state of affairs in this country, that things will pick up much in the next year either. Oh, well, easy come, easy go...

Well, that's it from sunny Saint Paul where it was 65 degrees today. Hallelujah!

The Wolf

This is one of the coolest things ever...

Last Saturday, we had just come through the border, back into Minnesota. We were listening to one of our favorite CDs; one we picked up in Winnipeg a couple of years ago. It's Aaron Burnett's "Call of the Wild," a CD really meant for kids, but very fun. The song, "I'm a Wolf Hear My Howl" was playing. We were "howling" along. All of a sudden, a wolf loped across the road about 40-50m in front of us. I've seen lots of coyotes, lots of deer, and even several bears, but I've never seen a wolf in the wild. I could see clearly that it was definitely a wolf. It was truly one of the coolest things ever.

I think we'll have to adopt the wolf as our family totem. Check this out: "Because wolf is a teacher and pathfinder, he comes when we need guidance in our lives. . . . Wolf teaches us to develop strength and confidence in our decisions." I thought that was oddly appropriate to having just landed.

Welcome to Canada, have fun!

Greetings from Thunder Bay, Ontario! Here's an account of yesterday...

We left the house around 8 am. After picking up bagels we were on our way. Since we had 6YO and our dog with us, we stopped at Gooseberry Falls State Park, Split Rock State Park, and Grand Portage State Park along the way. You turn into Grand Portage about 100 m in front of the border. We were walking the trail back to the falls when I promptly fell. As I was going down I was thinking, "NOTHING is going to keep me from being able to land today!" That is, land in Canada, not on my ass. Short of some sore body parts this morning and a strawberry on my knee, all is well.

We approached customs, gave the fellow (who looked about 12) our passports and explained that we were landing. He was a bit confused, but then got the idea, did his thing, and directed us to parking. We went inside, told them what we were doing and they directed us to the Immigration window. A nice officer took our paperwork and he, too, was confused. Our paperwork indicates our original destination of Vancouver and we were providing a Nova Scotia address. That lead to a few questions. I was, being neurotic anyway, really nervous! He checked every detail on the COPR and then gave all the other paperwork back and said to go to the Customs window. The guy there was very nice, though he did look closely at the Goods to Follow list and asked a few questions about the B4. He then said, "Few people are this prepared" and seemed pleased. After that, which took about five minutes, we had to wait. And wait. And wait. And my blood pressure went, I'm sure, higher and higher.

With all the posters about traveling with children, missing children, etc. we both thought that maybe they were running a variety of searches. Even though we all have the same names we hadn't thought to bring the birth certificate showing that we are both, in fact, 6YO's moms. We waited. 6YO whined. And we waited. At one point he called me up and asked for a phone number he could put down. After almost an hour - and I was getting very anxious having read about those who breeze through the process - he called us up. He asked, in a friendly way, if we were legally married. I said, "Yes, in Canada." He replied that "a lot of folks were doing that." We initialled that we hadn't ever been convicted of a crime, signed that above statements were truthful, and signed the COPR. He showed us how our passports were stamped indicating permanent resident status and gave us the carbon of the COPR. He THEN said that we were the first people he had ever landed and that that's why it had taken so long, adding that he had to do some reading! Whew! I was thinking, ya' know, it would have been okay if you had told me that to begin with! He then said, "Welcome to Canada, have fun!" Rock on!

So, over an hour after crossing the border, we were on our way! I would have liked to have been able to "enjoy" it more, but after all that time on the road and the wait I was just relieved.

We went on up the road to Thunder Bay and checked into the hotel. Lo' and behold, our dear and sneaky friends, G & D, had called ahead and paid for our room. Is that sweet!?! We ordered multi-grain pizza for delivery - do we know how to party or what - and ate in the room. We had planned to go in the pool, but 6YO was content watching a DVD and we were exhausted. But, I wasn't too exhausted to make a quick run to Chapters to feed my habit.

I got back around 10:30 and crashed.

BTW, just about every single person I've passed in the hallway says, "Hello." As P said, that may take some getting used to...

6YO and P are in the pool now. I'm going to get us packed up. We plan to get breakfast, stop at the Canadian Superstore (which I confess to loving so don't tell me anything bad about them) stop at the cheese farm outside of town and head back. I have to be ready at 8 am tomorrow as I've volunteered - way before I knew we'd be landing - to help with a school event.

That's it. We're permanent residents. I can't quite believe it. It's still sinking in that we got through all the hoops and did it!

More soon!

Tomorrow, tomorrow...

Early tomorrow we will pile into our rental car and head north about 300 miles to Pigeon River. The hotel we're staying at is supposed to have wireless so I'll post an update when I can. Hopefully the next time I post we will have landed!

Regarding Landing

Seems like for 10 people there are 10 different experiences, but...

The instructions for landing suggest that one should have everything like marriage certificate, birth certificates, diplomas, kitchen sink, etc. on hand. BUT, I've never seen anyone's description of landing mention having to drag out anything of the kind. Anyone out there care to share their thoughts.

Similarly, did anyone run into issues with Goods to Follow such as being asked for photos of jewelry, etc?

I'm typically obsessive about following instructions to the letter, but I don't want to go digging through things unnecessarily, taking and printing photos unnecessarily, etc.

We have, at the ready, passports with visas, COPR, proof of funds, and (soon) Goods to Follow lists. Anyone think we should have other stuff on hand?

Thanks!

The Eagle has Landed

Sitting right here, on the dining room table, are three US passports each containing a Canadian immigrant visa that is good until 5 January 2008. Oh my goodness, oh my goodness. Hard to believe! I stayed home this morning because I had a feeling they would arrive. I heard the mail carrier, saw the brown envelope, saw "Canada" in the font I know so well... I can't quite believe it. 647 days from filing the application. As one acquaintance said, you wait and wait and wait, and wait some more and then, whoosh, you've got 'em! Okay, back to breathing and off to work!

Later: So, being one of the most risk averse people I know... we're thinking that rather than wait until our summer vacation to land we'll drive up to the border and "land" so that it's done. Ironically, the only free weekend we have coming up happens also to be the weekend closest to the second anniversary of our Canadian marriage. So, that's fun, too.

Question - I seem to recall reading that there is some form to get if you anticipate having to re-enter Canada before your PR card arrives. Does that ring true to anyone out there?

Thanks - now back to gazing at my visa... -)

Decision Made

One might be inclined to find it anti-climactic, but not me! I had heard, for ages, that CIC e-client was updated on Mondays. Whether this is true or not, I don't know. But, I checked this morning anyway and, whaddya know, it reads...

"We started processing your application on June 13, 2005.

We transferred your application to the Detroit office on June 13, 2006. The Detroit office may contact you.

Medical results have been received.

A decision has been made on your application. The office will contact you concerning this decision."

We, of course, already sent our passports and they are on their way back to us. But, it is still VERY cool to actually SEE the above on the CIC site. Last week is still said, "The Detroit office may contact you." Woo-hoo!!!

Have a fab day!

Repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" now!

If you read one thing from here in the next year, please read this. And, be sure to go here, too.

Though I've not yet seen any coverage in the press, yesterday, Marty Meehan (D-MA) was scheduled to reintroduce legislation to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Regardless of what you think about the military or military service, this is bad law. Bad, bad, bad.

This photo, from the second link above, is priceless - shrub visiting and honoring a war veteran, not knowing that the man he is visiting is gay.

Thanks!

From the New York Times, 27 Feb 2007:

"The United States was not the only country to respond to the horror of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks with policies that went much too far in curtailing basic rights and civil liberties in the name of public safety. Now we see that a nation can regain its senses after calm reflection and begin to rein back such excesses, but that heartening news comes from Canada and not the United States.

Canada’s Supreme Court has struck down a law that the government used to detain foreign-born terrorism suspects indefinitely — employing secret evidence and not filing charges — while orders to deport them were reviewed. The law was actually passed in 1978, but was primarily employed to detain and deport foreign spies. After the 2001 attacks, the Canadian government began using it aggressively to hold terrorism suspects, claiming that it was an important tool for keeping Canada safe.

That is just the sort of argument the Bush administration used to ram the excesses of the Patriot Act and the 2006 Military Commissions Act through Congress, and offered as an excuse for other abusive policies, like President Bush’s illegal wiretapping of international calls and e-mail.

The Canadian justices rejected their government’s specious national security claim with a forceful 9-to-0 ruling that upheld every person’s right to fair treatment. “The overarching principle of fundamental justice that applies here is this: before the state can detain people for significant periods of time, it must accord them a fair judicial process,” Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin wrote.

The contrast with the United States could not be more disturbing. The Canadian court ruling came just days after a federal appeals court in Washington ruled that Congress could deny inmates of the Guantánamo Bay detention camp the ancient right to challenge their confinement in court. The 2006 military tribunals law revoked that right for a select group who had been designated “illegal enemy combatants” without a semblance of judicial process.

In late January, Canada created another unflattering contrast with United States policy when it offered a formal apology and financial compensation to Maher Arar, a Canadian citizen who was a victim of Mr. Bush’s decision to approve open-ended detentions, summary deportations and even torture after 9/11. Mr. Arar was detained in the United States and deported to Syria, where he was held for nearly a year and tortured.

Instead of apologizing to Mr. Arar, who was cleared of any connection to terrorism by a Canadian investigatory panel, Justice Department lawyers are fighting a lawsuit he has brought in this country, using their usual flimsy claim of state secrets. The Bush administration still refuses to remove Mr. Arar from its terrorist watch list.

The United States Supreme Court has ruled twice in favor of Guantánamo detainees on statutory grounds, but it has yet to address the profound constitutional issues presented by American practices, including the abuses Congress authorized when it passed the Military Commissions Act. Such a showdown does not seem far off, but Congress also has a duty to revoke or rewrite the laws that have been abused in the name of national security, starting with the 2006 tribunals law.

Lawmakers have only to look to the Canadian court for easy-to-follow directions back to the high ground on basic human rights and civil liberties."

Miscellany

From the New York Times: "The overarching principle of fundamental justice that applies here is this: before the state can detain people for significant periods of time, it must accord them a fair judicial process." Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, of Canada, in a ruling striking down a law that allowed the indefinite detention of terrorism suspects.

What an interesting 24 hours. Yesterday morning I put our passports in the mail. Then I met with one of our U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar's (D-MN) aides about "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Then I heard, for the first time, about conditions at Walter Reed. If you haven't heard, just visit the Washington Post. Then, we watched the first half of Spike Lee's When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts. No wonder I'm tired... But, how nice to see the Times piece above. Unfortunate that there existed such a law to strike down, but a move in the right direction nonetheless.

BTW, for those of you who read about 16 year old blogger and videographer, Ava Lowery, over at We Move to Canada, the current issue of Mother Jones tells her story. I just don't know what to think when I read about someone feeling so threatened that they have to suggest violence toward a teenage peace activist.

Back to family movie night and watching the snow fall.

News flash, news flash!

Okay, yesterday I said, "I have a feeling we'll hear something this week." Then, ten minutes ago, as I was leaving class, I said to myself, "I'm anxious to get back and check e-mail. I just have a feeling..." meaning, that we would hear something regarding immigration. I am not kidding! Talk about having internalized the timelines...

I get back to my office and [drum roll, please] there it was - THE e-mail... "Excellent news! We have received communication from the Canadian Consulate General in Detroit regarding your application for Canadian Permanent Residence, stating that the processing of your application is complete, and you are now asked to submit your passports to the Consulate for visa issuance. Congratulations!"

Heart be still. Okay, I have to start breathing, but I wanted you to be among the first to know. More as it happens!

My, how time flies!

So, I've worked almost every Saturday and Sunday since the new year, trying to complete this manuscript. The original delivery date was 1 February. My editor said he could give me "a couple of weeks," so I was ready to send it off today, knowing that I want/need to give it a thorough read. In our exchange of e-mails this morning he said, "With regards to reading the work, you have a few weeks before the ms is actually due." Huh? I wrote back to clarify and he replied, "I have you down for a 1 March delivery. I gave you an extra couple of weeks since I am familiar with the fun of teaching and writing at the same time." Woo-hoo. I'm glad I didn't know that and now I have a couple of weeks to read through it at a sane pace. I'll be glad to never see it again, but I'm really glad to have that cushion!

In other news, Saturday we had eight little boys at the house for 6YO's party. It was crazy, but fine. I am particularly pleased that we managed a party without the participation of any "licensed characters." We went with bright primary colors, made an activity of coloring their gift bags, etc. For those of you unfamiliar with the world of kids' parties, it's become insanity and a good number of folks are fighting back. But, yes, by "gift bags" I mean the "parting gifts" for the little guests. We got each of them a wooden letter of their first initial that they decorated, a punch balloon, a box of sour candy hearts, and little "Wooly Willy" thingies. We were going for the "old fashioned birthday party" theme. And, in really big news - this is the first year that P didn't bake a cake that I would decorate using the bag, tips, etc. No playing Martha this year. But, we'd better start planning for February '08... Just kidding.

Yet in other news, we're broadening the scope of possibilities for our initial home in Canada. For a variety of reasons (e.g., law school and contacts), we're now also looking at Fredericton, NB. Not the big immigration destination - which is and of itself is somewhat of a draw - but appealing for a number of reasons. Anyway, when in NS, instead of touring Cape Breton we're going to visit NB and see what we think. We'll end up someplace!

I suppose I should get back to work. Just thought that I should take a few moments, while I could, to post a bit o' update. As I like to say, more as it happens!

Oh, but... how 'bout those Dixie Chicks!?!?!?!

Blah, blah, blah...

Haven't had much to say lately. Crazy busy with work. Yesterday "5YO" became "6YO." THAT was a big day! And, tomorrow we'll be hosting 8 little boys, ages 4, 5, and 6 for THE party.

No news from CIC. Ottawa should have received our medicals by now, but there's no telling if they're preparing the brown envelope or sending things on to Detroit. The husband of an acquaintance here got THE envelope. I know that we have plenty of time to get our visas before our 30 June trip to Nova Scotia, but I'm just ready for some "closure" on this part of the process. Not telling anyone anything you don't already know!

In other news -
Check out: http://www.democracynow.org/static/IMIATOW.shtml
If you haven't already, you need to see "Independent Media in a Time of War."

Off to meet the bus!

Whoosh!

So goes the month of January. I've not posted lately because there isn't anything happening on the immigration front and I've been insanely busy with teaching, writing, and prepping for a course overload in Spring. Then there's the matter of 5YO being on the verge of being 6YO. Yes, it's true. I'm not sure how that happened, but six he will be!

The good news is that it looks as though I'm going to get to take a trip to Seattle in April. The even better news is that it's for a consulting gig (read: $$) and I get to visit with a friend I rarely have the opportunity to see. But, wait, it gets even better. If things work out I'll tag on a quick trip to Victoria. So, for those of you who have agreed to talk with me about your immigration plans, experiences, etc., once plans are set I'll be in touch.

Meanwhile, back in MN... yesterday morning it was 0. Right now it's 15 with a wind chill of -1. Yes, those are Fahrenheit. I'll wait until we move to make the switch to C.

That's about it. Just waiting for the next communique from Detroit! As always, you'll be among the first to hear!

Same-Sex Marriage?

Hillary Clinton? No.
John Edwards? "Not there yet."
Tom Vilsack? Nope.
Barack Obama? Nah.
Dennis Kucinich? Yup.

Then there's John McCain playing kissy-face (or was that kiss up?) to James Dobson of Focus on the Family. Oh, this is going to be fun. Not.

My tag line may be:
"Barack Obama - Apparently he thinks Brown v. Board was wrongly decided. Long live Plessy and separate but equal, says Obama."

Democrats? No, thanks!

These two snippets just happened to catch my eye - both appeared within the last 24 hours. Just more evidence of why the Democrats, IMHO, aren't any more appealing to me than the others. Also, see Tom's recent posts at Canadian Hope.

From the Stonewall Dems:
"Former Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. (TN) will soon assume the Chairmanship of the Democratic Leadership Council - the centrist organization which seeks to influence the policy and politics of the Democratic Party. Ford is a strong supporter of amendments to both the Tennessee and U.S. Constitutions that bar domestic partnerships, civil unions and civil marriage for same-sex couples. In Fact, Ford aggressively campaigned on that support during his failed Senate campaign last year (earning the dubious distinction of being the only major Democratic senate candidate in 2006 to wind up a loser). Ford's position puts him at odds with the stated policy of the Democratic Leadership Council, which opposes such amendments. Stonewall has called on the DLC to reaffirm their position and for Congressman Ford to rejoin the majority of Democrats and Americans in supporting the policy of the DLC by opposing the federal anti-marriage amendment."

From The New York Times
January 16, 2007
Democrats Seek the Middle on Social Issues
By Robin Toner
WASHINGTON, Jan. 15 — The promise may not outlast their political honeymoon, but Democratic Congressional leaders say they are committed to governing from the center, and not just on bread-and-butter issues like raising the minimum wage or increasing aid for education. They also hope to bring that philosophy to bear on some of the most divisive social issues in politics, like abortion.

In their first days in session, Senate Democratic leaders reintroduced a bill that they said was indicative of their new approach: the Prevention First Act, which seeks to reduce the number of abortions by expanding access to birth control, family planning and sex education.

In the House last week, Democrats showcased a vote on expanding federal financing for embryonic stem cell research, which, despite fierce opposition from many conservatives, has won bipartisan support among lawmakers — and voters — who are otherwise divided on abortion.

The mantra, for many Democrats, is the search for common ground. On gay rights, lawmakers and advocates said the most likely legislation in the new Congress would focus on hate crimes and employment discrimination, issues expected to be much less polarizing than the debate over same-sex marriage that was front and center in the Republican Congress....

In the mail...

Today, just before noon, an envelope containing: FBI cards, police certificate from Germany, proof of funds, proof of medical examinations, and a check for $890 went in the mail. Now we just wait to see what comes next - mystery brown envelope, PPR, or perhaps a request for some additional documentation? You will be among the first to know!

This is great!

You may recall my comments about Michele Bachmann, the incredibly hateful and ignorant GOP conservative who got, incredibly, elected to Congress in the MN Sixth. This editorial appeared in today's Minneapolis paper - it's fabulous!!!!

Bachmann: Our secret weapon for Baghdad
By Nick Coleman, Star Tribune

Praise the Lord and send Bachmann to Iraq. And make it snappy.

Michele Bachmann is the freshman congresswoman who raised eyebrows last fall when she claimed God had "called" her to run for Congress. I know the Lord moves in mysterious ways, and I am open to the possibility that divine intervention helped Republican Bachmann move up from the state Senate to Washington so that she might stop smiting Minnesota's gays and lesbians and start solving some real problems.

Anything is possible.

So I am glad that Bachmann apparently believes she will know what we should do about that pesky Iraq thing when she can get there and take a look-see.

This is fabulous news. After almost four years of a war that has cost thousands of lives and seems to be getting worse by the moment, we have overlooked the obvious solution:

Drop Bachmann on Baghdad!

I pray she won't waste another minute booking a flight.

"I don't believe we have all of the information in front of us," she recently said. "As a member of Congress, that's why I want to go to Iraq as quickly as I can. I want to get the best information in front of me."

The thanks of a grateful nation to Michele Bachmann!

All that nonsense about the Iraq Study Group was a waste of time, as was the 2006 election, in which Americans thought they were expressing disapproval of the war.

As it turns out, all we needed was to get Baghdad Bachmann into the fray to find out what to do. I don't know why we didn't think of it long ago: Michele goes to Mesopotamia and we get a solution! She is very sweet to offer, and she should be deployed as soon as possible, so we can get this thing wrapped up.

Or perhaps Bachmann should just give fellow Republican Norm Coleman a call.

Sen. Coleman already has been to Iraq, twice (he made his second visit last month). He may not know what to do about Iraq, yet. But he knows what not to do: He says the answer is not to send 20,000 more troops and extend the tour of 2,600 Minnesota Guard soldiers who thought they were coming home in March.

In this, he is ably representing the thousands of Minnesotans whose lives have been disrupted by an ill-conceived and unnecessary war that has gone off the tracks. Norm voted to authorize that war, like many Republicans and Democrats in Congress. But unlike Newbie Bachmann, who believes she might know the solution once she sees Baghdad, Norm says we have seen enough already.

On the day we learned that another Minnesota soldier had died in Iraq, the troops heard from a cable TV channel that their tours had been extended.

Sen. Coleman didn't have to go to Iraq to find out what he should do about that disgrace.

He wrote an angry letter to the secretary of defense, saying that announcing extended war tours on cable TV was an "unacceptable way to treat our nation's citizen soldiers." He also opposed the president's face-saving plans to gamble more lives on a failed policy in Iraq.

A "troop surge" in Iraq, Norm said in a Senate speech, will "put more American troops at risk" trying to fix a problem -- sectarian violence -- that is Iraq's, not America's.

Give Norm credit. Sure, he's running for reelection in 2008, but Bachmann will be, too. At least Norm is smart enough to start backing away from the Kool-Aid vat. And by abandoning the president's line, he is speaking up for the troops and their families, who are expected to remain silent.

More politicians should listen to the people (61 percent disapproved of a troop surge in a poll taken after President Bush proposed it). And more, like Gov. Tim Pawlenty, should serve their constituents before their ambitions. Although our governor spoke up on behalf of the Minnesota Guard members Thursday, he has spent months playing buddy-buddy with presidential prospect and surge proponent John McCain.

Still, if Michele Bachmann or others think they can enlighten us by going to Baghdad, I say, by all means. Go. Get a move on.

Nick Coleman • ncoleman@startribune.com

WTF?

20,000 more troops to Iraq?

I asked my students to watch tonight so I was taking notes.
Just a sampling...

“The situation in Iraq is unacceptable to the American people…and it is unacceptable to me.”
“Failure in Iraq would be disastrous for the United States.”
“…advancing liberty across a troubled region.”
“Increase the active Army and Marine Corps…”
‘Mobilize civilians overseas…”
“Advance of freedom is the calling of our time...”

Every time I hear him utter words like liberty, freedom, and democracy I wonder when everyone in the United States will truly have liberty and freedom.

I absolutely loathe the man.

Catching Up

I didn't have time to include this in Friday's post...

We went to one of the two places in the Cities where you can get a CIC medical exam. It's in one of the suburbs (the aforementioned Apple Valley) and is staffed by a physician of Latino origin. The support staff are primarily Latina. The nurse practicioner was listed as "Sr." That's as in sister, as in nun. It's fair (and honest) to say that - as two moms coming in with a child - I was a bit apprehensive.

Then... the NP walked in the door. She was sporting a Wellstone! button. Good sign! As soon as she put her things down she set to work with our materials. She was very cool! That's cool in a good way, not cool as in distant. When I was in her office going over the paperwork she saw my occupation listed as "Professor" and [paraphrasing] sighed, "Brain drain. We're losing all the good people. But, what do we expect when we make policies that force them to leave?" Was I happy or what!

So, all in all, a great experience and a reminder about Catholicism. She happens to be a member of the Sisters of Saint Joseph of Carondelet, a very cool order as far as Catholic orders go. You might have heard of Sister Rita. "In 1996 she was arrested for the first time for peaceful protesting, and in 1997 was again arrested and sentenced to a federal penitentiary in Pekin , Illinois . When asked what she got for her 70th birthday, Sister Steinhagen quipped, 'Six months!'"

Anyway, just wanted to add that to the tale. More as it happens!

110/80

Well, all the information you really need to know is in the title of this post. Woo-hoo! But, here's the quick story.

We headed down to Apple Valley (don't you love that name) for our 9 am appointment. 5YO had to pee so as soon as we walked in I asked if he would need to provide a urine sample. The woman who greeted us said that she didn't think so and that he could go ahead and pee. He did, we got settled, and started some paperwork. She came back about 5 minutes later and said that, yes, in fact, he would need to provide a urine sample, and would he like orange juice or water - a bottle in each hand. He opted for the OJ.

Thus began an hour and a half of two middle aged women and a 5YO "round-robining" the examination room, etc. But, the glorious news was that my BP was 110/80. A more accurate statement is probably that that was the reading. I've often had LPNs and such get a low reading, I think, bc it was what they were expecting. Then, the physician does it and, voila, too high. All I know is that the paperwork reads 110/80.

The assistant couldn't find a good vein in my left arm, got the needle in my right and couldn't find a vein, and ended up having the nurse practicioner draw from the back of my hand - nice and veiny. What else? I loved getting weighed in kilograms. Insert grin here! We made it out the door after about two hours and had to go down the road for our chest x-rays.

The only other "blip" in the day was that P had to get some documentation from her primary care provider. At the end of some lost paperwork, misinformation, etc. she was able to have someone print out the info and leave it for her after hours. Now she can hand carry it back to the immigration meds office and, as soon as they get the x-rays, off it all goes to Ottawa.

Then, we just wait to see if we get the mystery brown envelope... But, all I know is that I'm thrilled with the BP. I've been dreading that for about a year and a half!!!

More as it happens. Hopefully I can post some "catch-up" info soon. Cheers!

Back for a moment!

I can't believe I haven't posted since 19 December. That was finals week, then grading, then the holiday and a week away with almost no Internet access. We got back on the 30th and it's been insanity ever since. I started teaching Tuesday morning and teach from 9-12 three days a week until the 25th. Then there's that @#$% book deadline hanging over my head. Thus, not only have I not been posting, I've not been reading.

As some of you may recall, we have our physicals on Friday. This was supposed to be the end of a peaceful retreat, resulting in lower blood pressure. Instead, I'm on the verge of just cracking up, at least momentarily.

But, if I can just get a bit ahead on daily prep and get a bit more written... Anyway, thought I should dash off a quick post to let everyone know that all is well, just not enough hours in the day.

I hope you had a great new year and that 2007 provides you with peace and all things wonderful!