Feb 25 - Treatment #15 - only 2 to go

Today I had my 15th Herceptin treatment and see the light at the end of the tunnel. I am very tired today, a result of enjoying too much socializing the last week and weekend. I think I am back on track but the next day catches up on me. I can do two late nights in a row but have to have afternoon rests in between.
It was great to have our friends Deidre and Warren here last week. We caught up with 16 year old daughter Jennifer and 8 year old granddaughter Aurora (and met her dad) over lunch Saturday. Ted enjoyed his late night chats and single malt sessions, something he misses with my early nights these days. Deidre and go back 20 years or more from working days and still never run out of things to talk about.
Interesting facts: One thing they noticed was the high price of everything in Alberta compared to Ontario. Of course, there is a boom on here but also a much smaller population. The huge differential can only be attributed to "what the market will bear" forces. Also they commented on the lack of trees south of Calgary, which is semi-prairie even though it's in the foothills of the Rockies.

Feb 24 - A Dream come true

Today a dream 4 years in the making came true. The Calary Canada-China Friendship Association (of which I am president and Ted treasurer) joined forces with the University Chinese Scholars & Students Association to kick off our Shou La Shou (Hand in Hand) program. Families with an adopted Chinese girl were matched with Chinese nationals studying at the University. It is a win-win program for us all. CCCFA will bear any costs and we have volunteers from both associations helping make it work.
Sheila Power (past president) and I attended a forum in China in 2004 and learned about a similar program in Australia, and were inspired to establish a similar one here.
We held a reception for about 65 families, scholars and volunteers, in a large community room at a local supermarket. The venue was free, a beautiful location, full of light and sun yesterday.
It was a joy for us to see how well they all bonded and shared with one another. Now each matched pair will meet for at least an hour a month. It is a great opportunity for foreign students to extend their networks by helping families keep in touch with their adoptive children's homeland, history and culture.
We made up loot bags of cheese, fruit, chips, juice and lucky red Chinese NY envelopes. The students also made colourful paper table flower arrangements and had a wrapped gift for each child. It was so much fun.
After their bonding and snack time, a local Chinese mandarin teacher led a fun Chinese song and dance session aimed at kids 3 to 93.
So far we've recruited 11 families with 13 kids - a great start.

It's spring somewhere

This last two weeks has been weird weather. First we had freezing weather and huge winds. Last Tuesday we had a big dump of snow with a storm overnight, about 5 inches on our deck when we woke. Today it was +12 and sunny, and will stay that way for about a week. The big hares are back inour garden and we see prints from Mr. & Mrs. Skunk, who appear to be living under our front deck this winter. They take nightly strolls but don't bother us at all - so far! We make lots of noise to let them know we're about and we're fine as long as some stray cat doesn't nail them! I guess they are after the same mice for food.
Liz and Clive are tormenting us with photos of spring flowers (inset) in the parks in England already. It's hard to believe spring is somewhere while we still have gobs of winter. Looking at my photos of Puerto Vallarta, it would be nice to be in the sun again...
Today Ted and I went walking in Glenmore Park for an hour or so and didn't need jackets. We are so fortunate to be around so much parkland and green space. Ted is waiting to hear from a surgeon about orthroscopy for his knee, but walking is easy. If it stays this warm all weekend, we'll have a quagmire before long.

Feb 12 Social Butterfly again

Feb 12 we said a sad farewell to our CEO at Prospect. Geoff Braun has served Prospect for over 12 years, latterly as CEO. He's transformed the group and done a remarkable job. Now he needs some self time to get back on track and finish his Masters degree. I played host at the board's farewell at the Art Gallery of Calgary, a lovely venue. A great team and one I've been proud to be associated with for over 10 years. Sometimes board work isn't so glamorous but we change lives, especially those of people with mental and physical disabilities. Note, a sprouting of hair at last!
(Above with our past president Dr. Jim Graham and 25+ years treasurer, Flora Stupich.)

Can't keep those wild women down

Baker Creek ski weekend. Two of the Wild Women (WW) became the TTT instead. We are now the two tit twins - we have two between us - one right, one left. If you don't think that's funny, that's your problem. Sally was just out of mastectomy surgery 6 weeks when we skied at Baker Creek. Two tough broads. She is 70+, even more remarkable. And since then skied 6 days out of 7 last week at Lake Louise. It's 20 years since Calgary hosted the Olympics. We won't be going after any medals but I think we can be proud of our achievements nonetheless.

Feb 3/4 Gung Hay Fat Choy

It's Chinese New Year again so braced myself for celebrating. We were guests at Consul General Wu's annual celebration Feb 3, then hosted our own Chinese New Year party Feb 4 at Regency Palace restaurant for about 45 members. If I have something on in an evening, I have to take a nap beforehand so I can last the course. At least I am able to do these things again. We've recruited some families for our new ShouLaShou (Hand in Hand) program to match Chinese student "friends" with families who have adopted children from China. It as fun to have some of them come to our dinner (photo inset.) As always, food is a big part of the fun, Peking Duck always a highlight.

Feb 15 - Skiing again

I'm back on skis again and enjoying it. Not too energetic but great to be out on days like this. It was heartening to go out with a group of people with developmental disabilities and see their courage and vim to learn to XC ski. Some of my fellow ski club members hosted a group from Prospect, the board I've been on for 10 years. It's humbling to know they have faced uphill battles all their lives. Mine is just for a year or so. We hope to do it again when we have enough snow and days like this again in town.
Last week I also went as Don D's date to Emerald Lake Lodge for a 3-day club trip. It was lovely. Cloudy but good snow and mild temperatures. Great camaraderie and lodging. Followed this with 2 days of Prospect board retreat at Banff Centre. Always good to be in Banff and enjoying mountains.
(Photo: Betty, guest, Sheila, Jodi)