Exams

This beloved (a bit sarcastic) time of year has come again.  Sleep, Eat, Study, Eat, Study, Eat, Sleep..... Repeat daily (add a bit of procrastination in there whenever possible as well, like right now).  It is however interesting to find out how much was learnt (or not) while going over all the course material.  It often feels like I try to learn a course in <40 hours at the end of the year.  Although I know I would be truly hooped if that was indeed the case.  For those fellow students out there I wish you the best for your exams, just think in less than two weeks it will all be over... well, at least until next term...

C. S. Lewis

I was sitting here at my desk looking at my bookshelf and noticed C. S. Lewis' Mere Christianity. I have been flipping through it quickly reading what I had underlined from past read throughs. I totally forgot how much I enjoy Lewis' work. Stack another one up on the to read again list. Often I don't always enjoy re-reading books however for a book like this I will justify it by using a quote Lewis has written in this same book "People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed."

Global Smoothie

I'm excited, I finally have my blender here in Fredericton so I put it to use this evening. I think I have just made one of the best smoothies ever, it's delicious. I call it the global smoothie (despite missing a few key ingredients to be truly global). Basically I was clearing out any fruit that has been sitting around for a few days. If you want to attempt this smoothie here are the basic ingredients

• Fortified rice milk (vanilla flavored-could use regular or soy milk)
• Grapes (a couple good handfulls)
• Kiwi whole (just remove the stems at the ends)
• Apple (cored)
• Cranberries (good hand full)
• Carrot (one good sized)
• Yogurt (a good splash)
• Frozen Fruit mix (peaches, mango, wild berries, pineapple... adds a nice chill)
• Honey (a good squeeze)
• Flax meal (heaping tablespoon- thickener, adds Omega-3 and has a hint of a nutty flavor)
• Dragon Fruit (if available- I unfortunately didn't have any)

I just need something from Africa to be truly Global...

What else would make a good smoothie? I know a lot of people like bananas in the mix, but that's not my style. I should try some veggie smoothie.

EWB

I'm not sure how many people have heard about Engineers without Borders (EWB) Canada, but I have been checking out this organization lately to see what it's all about. Overall it looks like a great organization at effectively trying to help those in need around the globe. The organization really emphasizes education here in Canada on what it is like to live in poverty. They do this mainly through public school outreach programs and various events that are generally carried out by its various university chapters. The organization also trys to partner up with countries or other NGOs so that they can send a number of long term (> 14 months) volunteers overseas as well as the short term (4 months) volunteers who come from the various universities involved. For myself I have been learning a lot from the overseas volunteers who have come back to share there experiences (positives and negatives). I may try to get involved occasionally in the school outreach programs.

Season 6

One day remaining then my sixth season as a treeplanter will be complete. (Jon planting a pipeline for the Woodland Caribou Project)

Monkman Provincial Park

This past weekend I had a quick break from treeplanting so went on an incredible hike with a friend from Grande Prairie (Pepper). We booked it over to Monkman Provincial Park in BC. From there we hiked about 21km into the park to an area called the Cascades, which is a series of ten amazing waterfalls. The area somehow is very rarely used, but is simply unbelievably beautiful. The backcountry campsite we stayed at was just off the ledge of a 30 meter waterfall (Brooks Falls) and just across from another cool set of falls (Shire Falls). Another fun feature of this site was that there were numerous Black Morrel mushrooms (which are a delicacy in Japan I have been told) that we picked then sold back in town for $7.50 per/lb. I had a great time and would love to get back there someday when I have a few more days to explore (about 50km total in two full days can be tiring). More photos have been added to my Picasa Photo Gallery. (If you look closely in the photos you will notice the orange Pine trees which have been killed by the pine beetle in the area)

3/8"

The planting season keeps passing by quickly.  The only major note of late would be that I purchased a pair of hair trimmers and clipped my hair down to 3/8th of an inch.  I'm starting to wonder why I had kept my hair longer for the past number of years.  Although my longer hair in the past did keep the horse flies and sun off my head and ears.

Pepper, Planting and Paine

I had a couple great days off in Grande Prairie earlier this week to get some much needed R&R (Left Top photo: my planting partners side that has been rubbed raw from his planting bags). While in town I was able to chill at a friend's place for the couple days which was wonderful. Thanks again Pepper! Here are a couple pictures of us chilling on the roof of his place watching the sun set over GP. Well back to planting now. (This Satellite Internet that we got set up in camp is cool)

Gatorade

I find Gatorade an interesting drink. When I'm out working there seems to be nothing better for getting some energy back and it just tastes good. In town however if I'm just thirsty on any ordinary day I think the stuff is disgusting. The sweet salty taste just is not appealing I may be able to get down a few gulps of the stuff. I guess when the body is in desperate need for the salt and sugar on a hot day somehow the mind is able to make the stuff taste almost divine. There isn't much better (in moderation, although water is some good stuff also).

Shift 1

For some reason I always forget how tired and worn out I get after the first few shifts of planting. Every day is basically wake up eat, drive, work, drive, shower, eat, 30 minutes of sports on TV followed by sleep. Repeated daily. A few pictures of my first shift at the coal mines we are working at. (A few more photos in my photo gallery.)