If you are reading this please PLEASE comment... We'd love to hear who's all reading our blog! Thanks,
Lydia and Ruth-Ann
Sunday, November 28, 2010
Le troisieme jour
Today our highlight was Chateau Versailles. We took the metro and the RER(train) and navigated our way around Paris and the surrounding area like pros. Our trip there was fairly uneventful. Getting off the RER at the station nearest the Chateau, we followed the crowds to the magnificent enterance.
The sight was breathtaking! It was larger and more beautiful than I had ever imagined. As we made our way inside I was filled with awe. The interior was even more ornate and richly decorated that the outside. As we walked through the many halls and rooms, so many history lessons and stories came to me. THIS was where these people actually walked, and ate and slept. We saw the secret door in Marie Antoinette's bedroom, through which she could access the kings bedroom, and though which she fled during the revolution. We saw the hall of mirrors, and the peace and war rooms that flank it. We saw many many rooms with all sorts of different colour schemes, some were red or green or yellow or gold or silver...
The artwork on the ceilings in the various rooms was surreal. The work involved to paint all thoses ceilings must have been tremendous! The sculptures in each of the rooms were also very impressive. It was interesting to note that in the king's bedroom there was a bust of the king on the mantlepiece, and in the queen's room there was a bust of the queen. For me, it was wonderful to see the face of the inhabitant in his/her room.
As we came out of the back of the main Chateau and looked over the grounds. We thought, yes it was amazing, but we both had an overwhelming urge to drink MILK!!! Since landing in France we have had a little water, and tons of french coffee -which is amazing, by the way- and even some wine, but no milk... We wanted Canadian food. after 3 days :( at the end of the day we found a: ...MACDONALDS! and we were very self controlled and only ordered drinks.
The grounds were quite impressive, despite the fact that winter is fast approaching. We took a walk through the grounds on our way to Trianon. We stopped for lunch at a little stand by le Grand Canal and ordered food in our very best French.
Ruth-Ann is getting quite good at the whole French thing. First she figures out what she wants, then she second guesses herself. Then when she's finally figured out what shes gonna ask for, she turns to me and asks either: 'Can you order for me...?' or 'How do you say...?' But yes, our French is definately improving, and we're both getting better at trying to speak it, regardless of the fact we know we are making a total fool of ourselves.
We also went to le Grand Trianon and le Petit Trianon. These 2 smaller chateaux were used as 'his and her' residences for various reigning couples, the most famous being Marie Antoinette and her husband, Louis XVI.
After stopping off at Macdonalds, we took the RER and metro back to Richard and Elora's. For Ruth-Ann the trip was very eventful. First, she managed to manipulate the train/metro system so that she didnt need to pay for her ride home. ...and second, her wallet was stolen. Any donations to her worthy cause would be greatfully accepted.
The return trip was also very amusing. So it seems that, in Paris, it is common custom to make out with your significant other, where ever and when ever possible. This provides us with ample opportunity to smirk, roll our eyes and giggle... However, on the train ride home we saw a totally different and very much more amusing couple. They both came on to the RER and sat in seats opposite each other. She wanted HIM to sit beside HER, and he didnt want to move but wanted HER to come and sit beside HIM. So they sat there, each patting the seat they wanted the other to move to. She threw a hissy fit and kicked his seat. He grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward and kissed her and she got all pout-y. Yes, it was mushy and totally immature, but very entertaining after a long day :)
That evening we went to the Champs Elysees for the third time. This time we had a purpose... to find Ruth-Ann a new, and more secure, purse. We found one and had a very good time shopping. The highlight, though, was probably the troupe of breakdancers that we stumbled on. They were quite good and provided a more up beat form of amusement... and may I add this was like at ten o'clock at night!
The sight was breathtaking! It was larger and more beautiful than I had ever imagined. As we made our way inside I was filled with awe. The interior was even more ornate and richly decorated that the outside. As we walked through the many halls and rooms, so many history lessons and stories came to me. THIS was where these people actually walked, and ate and slept. We saw the secret door in Marie Antoinette's bedroom, through which she could access the kings bedroom, and though which she fled during the revolution. We saw the hall of mirrors, and the peace and war rooms that flank it. We saw many many rooms with all sorts of different colour schemes, some were red or green or yellow or gold or silver...
The artwork on the ceilings in the various rooms was surreal. The work involved to paint all thoses ceilings must have been tremendous! The sculptures in each of the rooms were also very impressive. It was interesting to note that in the king's bedroom there was a bust of the king on the mantlepiece, and in the queen's room there was a bust of the queen. For me, it was wonderful to see the face of the inhabitant in his/her room.
As we came out of the back of the main Chateau and looked over the grounds. We thought, yes it was amazing, but we both had an overwhelming urge to drink MILK!!! Since landing in France we have had a little water, and tons of french coffee -which is amazing, by the way- and even some wine, but no milk... We wanted Canadian food. after 3 days :( at the end of the day we found a: ...MACDONALDS! and we were very self controlled and only ordered drinks.
The grounds were quite impressive, despite the fact that winter is fast approaching. We took a walk through the grounds on our way to Trianon. We stopped for lunch at a little stand by le Grand Canal and ordered food in our very best French.
Ruth-Ann is getting quite good at the whole French thing. First she figures out what she wants, then she second guesses herself. Then when she's finally figured out what shes gonna ask for, she turns to me and asks either: 'Can you order for me...?' or 'How do you say...?' But yes, our French is definately improving, and we're both getting better at trying to speak it, regardless of the fact we know we are making a total fool of ourselves.
We also went to le Grand Trianon and le Petit Trianon. These 2 smaller chateaux were used as 'his and her' residences for various reigning couples, the most famous being Marie Antoinette and her husband, Louis XVI.
After stopping off at Macdonalds, we took the RER and metro back to Richard and Elora's. For Ruth-Ann the trip was very eventful. First, she managed to manipulate the train/metro system so that she didnt need to pay for her ride home. ...and second, her wallet was stolen. Any donations to her worthy cause would be greatfully accepted.
The return trip was also very amusing. So it seems that, in Paris, it is common custom to make out with your significant other, where ever and when ever possible. This provides us with ample opportunity to smirk, roll our eyes and giggle... However, on the train ride home we saw a totally different and very much more amusing couple. They both came on to the RER and sat in seats opposite each other. She wanted HIM to sit beside HER, and he didnt want to move but wanted HER to come and sit beside HIM. So they sat there, each patting the seat they wanted the other to move to. She threw a hissy fit and kicked his seat. He grabbed her wrists and pulled her forward and kissed her and she got all pout-y. Yes, it was mushy and totally immature, but very entertaining after a long day :)
That evening we went to the Champs Elysees for the third time. This time we had a purpose... to find Ruth-Ann a new, and more secure, purse. We found one and had a very good time shopping. The highlight, though, was probably the troupe of breakdancers that we stumbled on. They were quite good and provided a more up beat form of amusement... and may I add this was like at ten o'clock at night!
Friday, November 26, 2010
Thursday, November 25, 2010
le premier jour
We have arrived!!!! after a long and rather uneventful flight we landed in Paris at 9:45 local time. What a crazy feeling, finally in this strange land that we've been talking about for soooooooo long. Lydia is fantastic at french, and even better at translating everything for me... and pretty good at reading the english signs as well. We made our way through the airport to the train station, where the hard part began... how to ask for tickets in french, ok we'll try it in English, turns out everyone here speaks it pretty decent, so i've already given up the whole bonjour/merci thing, much to Richards horror (apparently if you think you're cool enough to be in their country you have to speak the language). Who said metro systems were hard to get around in? Other than almost leaving my luggage on the opposite side of the door two times in a row, and then following a random refugee into a train car (assuming he knew where he was going) we made our way around pretty well!! At about 12:30 we arrived at an adorable little flat somewhere in the city and would you believe it... in that flat there were two even more adorable little girls waiting for "aunt Ruth-Ann" and her friend! The little gals are so much fun and full of energy, its so nice to see them again!
Lydia and I decided then that it was about time that we figured out the city... so we walked, and walked... and walked, as long as we followed the seinne we knew we couldn't get lost. Paris is a beautiful city, full of history and culture! I probably annoyed Lydia alot today with my loud exclamations of delight at every car, tree, boat, bike, scooter, hobo, street musician, cobble stone, and much more. ( But Lydia... CAN YOU BELIEVE ITS REAL????) Anyway we walked to the Notre Dame Cathedral, i definitely wasn't expecting it to be that big, its HUGE. When you walk in there are people milling about everywhere, some (like us) just to look and some devout catholics there reciting the rosary out loud, or sitting in a confessional. the atmosphere is extremely hushed and it almost feels like you're in a dream or something. We had to pay a little extra, but we were able to see the relics, including the robes that Napoleon the 3rd wore during his coronation... ( I think thats how the story went). It was altogether an unforgettable experience!
When in Paris do as the parisians do... we bought crepes... mmmm delicious they make them right in front of you and you choose the topping, I had Nutella, they have ginormous jars of it here, soo yum:) We took all the little back streets home, and found all sorts of little back alleys jam packed with cars and pedestrians. It started to hail during the walk but scarves are a big thing here so we wrapped our heads up, and were nice and toasty the whole way. (it was FREEEZING)! Drivers here are crazy, cars come with a front and a back bumper for a reason... to help parallel park. When you hit the vehicle you know you have to go the other way... until you hit it that way, then you go the previous way again... until you're parked. It was pretty entertaining to watch!
mmmk that's about all for now.
au revoir!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
EUROPE...!!!
So today Ruth-Ann and I are flying off to Europe. We are hoping to update this blog with what we're doing, and with pics, on a regular basis. Sooooo stay tuned......
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
In Manitoba: Day 6
A la glorieuse memoire
des aviateurs, marins, et soldats
des armiees francaises et alliees
qui se sacrifierent
dans la
bataille de Dunkirque.
Mai/Juin 1940
Dunkirk Memorial
I'm currently working on an essay for History. I've chosen to do it about the battle and evacuation of Dunkirk. While browsing through websites, online books and the books on my Aunt's bookshelf (in Dutch!) I've come across some very interesting things. One of the most intriguing is the picture below.
In this picture, the soldier to the far right is supposedly firing at German aircraft. However, aside from his fellow soldier to the left, he appears to be alone on the beach, and no aircraft are visible. This picture gives me the feeling that I'm right there next to the soldier on the left and that although not visible in the picture, I feel the Germans are playing a cat and mouse game with the Allied soldiers.Maybe I'm right, maybe I'm wrong.... Either way this picture is going on my title page. ;-)
Friday, September 3, 2010
In Manitoba: Day 1
Yesterday my cousin and I flew into Winnipeg airport. A couple hours later we were at his house. By bedtime last night I was unpacked and all settled into my room. All the gifts I brought were received enthusiastically. And now I will try my best to keep you all updated as to what is happening out here, and I'll even try to get some pics on here occasionally.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
School plans... ugh!
Well, I guess its that time of year again. Mom's been working out our assignment lists and boy do they ever look impressive. I'll post mine here and link to Mom's blog so that you can read my sibling's lists.
Here's mine: (the asterisks stand for credits earned when completed)
Bible and Worldview
*(Hebrews to Revelation)
Church history review
Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Universe Next Door, Seven Men Who Rule the World from the Grave, The Deadliest Monster, Postmodern Times and parts of Beyond Opinion
Reformed faith classes
English
*BJUP British Literature
The Roar on the Other Side by Suzanne Rhodes (poetry)
Classics to accompany history (1500 to present), with reports
Two science biographies or other science books, with in-depth reports
Wordsmith Craftsman, partially
*Rod and Staff Building Christian English 9/10
Elements of Style
Math
Finish New Additional Math from Singapore
*Calculus and/or statistics (university texts and ALEKS)
University of Waterloo Math competition and preparation
Corporate accounting (ALEKS)
Sciences
*Advanced Chemistry (Apologia and ALEKS)
*Advanced Physics (Apologia)
*Anatomy and Physiology of Large Animals (yes, this is a vet course, but she really wanted to do this for advanced biology. She will need to learn background material as well. I think I’ll grade it by having her do a report or a hands-on project for each chapter. She has at least two job shadowing days planned with vets, so that will help. If this becomes too challenging, we will change our plans.)
History
*Second half of Spielvogel’s The Human Odyssey, including map work
Read relevant Truth Quest guides and do the assignments
Read and report on classic literature from the time period
Two essays
Time line work
French
*Finish BJUP French 2,
*French Three Years from AMSCO
Rosetta Stone Levels 2 and 3
Various readings
Speak with co-workers
Dutch
Finish Rosetta Stone level 2
Visit the Netherlands
Read novels and nonfiction
*Finish Hugo’s Dutch in Three Months and then begin Taking Dutch Further (if I can get a copy) or some other intermediate level grammar book.
Greek
Finish Elementary Greek 2, an unfinished commitment from the past(1/2 credit)
The Arts
Music: organ as well as flute, guitar, or fife
Picture Study
Physical Activity
Judo: work on brown belt
Other
Work on dairy farm, full time September and October, part time for the rest of the year
Trip to Netherlands, December
Gary North’s Study Habits (free download at garynorth.com)
Prep and write SAT
Apply to universities and scholarships (This means I need to get transcripts and reports finished!!)
Puppy training
How will I ever finish that in six months? - most of the first term will be spent in Manitoba and the Netherlands-so really I feel overwhelmed already!!!
Anyways, you can read about the rest of the family's school plans here.
Here's mine: (the asterisks stand for credits earned when completed)
Bible and Worldview
*(Hebrews to Revelation)
Church history review
Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, The Universe Next Door, Seven Men Who Rule the World from the Grave, The Deadliest Monster, Postmodern Times and parts of Beyond Opinion
Reformed faith classes
English
*BJUP British Literature
The Roar on the Other Side by Suzanne Rhodes (poetry)
Classics to accompany history (1500 to present), with reports
Two science biographies or other science books, with in-depth reports
Wordsmith Craftsman, partially
*Rod and Staff Building Christian English 9/10
Elements of Style
Math
Finish New Additional Math from Singapore
*Calculus and/or statistics (university texts and ALEKS)
University of Waterloo Math competition and preparation
Corporate accounting (ALEKS)
Sciences
*Advanced Chemistry (Apologia and ALEKS)
*Advanced Physics (Apologia)
*Anatomy and Physiology of Large Animals (yes, this is a vet course, but she really wanted to do this for advanced biology. She will need to learn background material as well. I think I’ll grade it by having her do a report or a hands-on project for each chapter. She has at least two job shadowing days planned with vets, so that will help. If this becomes too challenging, we will change our plans.)
History
*Second half of Spielvogel’s The Human Odyssey, including map work
Read relevant Truth Quest guides and do the assignments
Read and report on classic literature from the time period
Two essays
Time line work
French
*Finish BJUP French 2,
*French Three Years from AMSCO
Rosetta Stone Levels 2 and 3
Various readings
Speak with co-workers
Dutch
Finish Rosetta Stone level 2
Visit the Netherlands
Read novels and nonfiction
*Finish Hugo’s Dutch in Three Months and then begin Taking Dutch Further (if I can get a copy) or some other intermediate level grammar book.
Greek
Finish Elementary Greek 2, an unfinished commitment from the past(1/2 credit)
The Arts
Music: organ as well as flute, guitar, or fife
Picture Study
Physical Activity
Judo: work on brown belt
Other
Work on dairy farm, full time September and October, part time for the rest of the year
Trip to Netherlands, December
Gary North’s Study Habits (free download at garynorth.com)
Prep and write SAT
Apply to universities and scholarships (This means I need to get transcripts and reports finished!!)
Puppy training
How will I ever finish that in six months? - most of the first term will be spent in Manitoba and the Netherlands-so really I feel overwhelmed already!!!
Anyways, you can read about the rest of the family's school plans here.
Friday, July 23, 2010
...Enter Puppy Number 2!
-Meet Rex! He is a Border Collie/Lab cross. He's a week younger than Chester, which makes him 8 weeks old today. He's very playful and loves to have attention. Both puppies get along very well, which is nice for all involved ;-)
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Chester
Hi Everyone, meet Chester! He is the newest member of our menagerie - at least for the next few minutes, until Dad goes out to get Rex. I got him yesterday, on his 8 week old birthday. 
Since Vic and I had been fencing all day, we figured we'd like to go out for supper. When we found out that Mom and Dad were going to a Shakespeare play, we decided to take all the kids. So the five of us went out to a little Chinese restaurant in a nearby town. Afterwards we went to pick up my puppy. We spent almost an hour on the farm playing with all the puppies and doing paperwork and just chatting with the breeder. Then we drove to the farm(where I work) and showed him off to my boss and his family. It was past 9 o'clock when we finally got home with him and then we had to figure out where exactly he was going to spend the night. We had been sooooo busy with fencing that we hadn't exactly had the time to set up his pen.
So I slept in a tent with the puppy! It got a little interesting during the thunderstorm - Chester really didn't like that. It got even more interesting at about 3 am when he decided that he had had enough sleep and started climbing all over me and chewing on my nose and fighting with my blanket.
Now he is quite attached to that tent; and, as you can see in the picture above, he likes to sleep curled up close to it.
Since Vic and I had been fencing all day, we figured we'd like to go out for supper. When we found out that Mom and Dad were going to a Shakespeare play, we decided to take all the kids. So the five of us went out to a little Chinese restaurant in a nearby town. Afterwards we went to pick up my puppy. We spent almost an hour on the farm playing with all the puppies and doing paperwork and just chatting with the breeder. Then we drove to the farm(where I work) and showed him off to my boss and his family. It was past 9 o'clock when we finally got home with him and then we had to figure out where exactly he was going to spend the night. We had been sooooo busy with fencing that we hadn't exactly had the time to set up his pen.So I slept in a tent with the puppy! It got a little interesting during the thunderstorm - Chester really didn't like that. It got even more interesting at about 3 am when he decided that he had had enough sleep and started climbing all over me and chewing on my nose and fighting with my blanket.
Now he is quite attached to that tent; and, as you can see in the picture above, he likes to sleep curled up close to it. And now off we go to get Rex!!!
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
...from farm work to school work...
Second cut is done. The fence is fixed -somebody caught the rake on the fence and took out quite a sizable bit... (that somebody wasn't me!) and I have at least 2 days off, maybe 4! Don't get me wrong here. I love working on the farm. Its amazing and I learn so much, but I haven't had a decent night's sleep for a WEEK! and I'm tired.
'out of the frying-pan and into the fire' ...from farm work to school work... Chemistry, English, French, Dutch(for my Holland trip) and an online course will keep me very busy for the remaining weeks of summer. My goal is to get far enough ahead is those subjects so that when I go to Manitoba in the fall and Holland in the winter I won't fall too far behind.
My goals for tomorrow are to write a Chemistry test and an English test and to finish 2 assignment for English. I also want to sign up for the online course and work on some French. Will that actually happen? I really don't know. It is possible... I think!
On the weekend I'll be getting a puppy. His name is Chester and he will be 8 weeks old on Friday. He is a purebred Border Collie and very cute. Mom and Dad are also getting a puppy this weekend. Their puppy's name is Shaggy (at least that's what he's called now). He is a Border Collie/Lab cross and is also 8 weeks old.
Thanks to all you who have left comments or emailed me... I enjoy hearing from you!
'out of the frying-pan and into the fire' ...from farm work to school work... Chemistry, English, French, Dutch(for my Holland trip) and an online course will keep me very busy for the remaining weeks of summer. My goal is to get far enough ahead is those subjects so that when I go to Manitoba in the fall and Holland in the winter I won't fall too far behind.
My goals for tomorrow are to write a Chemistry test and an English test and to finish 2 assignment for English. I also want to sign up for the online course and work on some French. Will that actually happen? I really don't know. It is possible... I think!
On the weekend I'll be getting a puppy. His name is Chester and he will be 8 weeks old on Friday. He is a purebred Border Collie and very cute. Mom and Dad are also getting a puppy this weekend. Their puppy's name is Shaggy (at least that's what he's called now). He is a Border Collie/Lab cross and is also 8 weeks old.
Thanks to all you who have left comments or emailed me... I enjoy hearing from you!
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
A Passport... finally!
Finally, after over ten years of not being able to leave the country, I applied for a passport. It was surprisingly easy: get 2 pictures, fill out the form(the online printable version makes it a breeze), and get someone to be your guarantor and sign the form and one of the pictures.
Ok, that wasn't so bad, but I didn't have great hopes for my time at the passport office. Well, they surprised me. I was in and out in a little over 15 minutes! Now all I have to do is wait for it to come in the mail!
And that's one more thing crossed off on my "To Do Before Going to the Netherlands" list.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Our Darling Buddy!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Robots
Recently I have been having quite a few discussions both on online forums and in person about Robotic Milking. I have been priviledged to work with Lely robots and have developed a huge facination for that type of thing. Below are two videos, one of Lely's Astronaut A3 and one of DeLaval's VMS. Enjoy!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
School's Out!
Now that I have finished school for the year, I'll have more time to work (and ocasionally bring my sisters to the farm with me), to preserve, to care for our 2 day old meat chicks, to practice organ, flute, guitar, classical recorder and fife, and to just relax. Hopefully I'll either pick up Judo again for the summer or start my childhood dream of taking horseback riding lessons! One other thing I'll be doing is figuring out how this whole blogging thing works, so bear with me as I stumble around...
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