A handful of beans

Toast to 2011

2011-12-31T10:00:00.000-08:00

What a wonderful year 2011 has been for me. I am so grateful to have been so blessed.

My latest and greatest news is that I just bought my first home – a brand new 2-bedroom condo in West Kelowna. I must extend great thanks to my late Nana for my generous inheritance and to my parents for their constant support. I am on the top floor and have wonderful views South, of the lake and Okanagan Mountain Park. I moved in just before Christmas and am harbouring another international traveller. My buddy Darryl who I met a few years ago here on the dubious recommendation of mutual friends from the Nile in Uganda has moved into my 2^nd bedroom. He is a helicopter engineer who tends to work half the year in Africa for offshore companies, so depending on your visit timing, you may meet him or you may get to sleep in his bedroom (or both)... Christmas and our housewarming were perfectly timed and the loot has helped turn the condo into a home. My mother in unimpressed with my observation that with a wicked KitchenAid mixer now already in my possession, I have no real good reason to get married anymore. Now that I have my own place, I do hope to repay all the hospitality I have received over the years so take note of my address above and let me know when you make it to my part of British Columbia.

Of course I do hope to be off flying a lot of the time so I may have to just hide a key for you. I’m not exactly kidding. I was in the middle of mountain training this summer with my boss when I got called to my first forest fire. I had about an hour’s notice to grab my go-bag and fly North to Fort McMurray. Later in the summer, I go to bulk up my hours with a pine beetle survey contract in Alberta. My boss is pretty awesome and didn’t mind that I took Dad along for the spectacular ride across the Rockies before he bussed back home the next day. My brothers and their respective broods came to visit in the summer and in a couple of trips I got to take everyone (except poor lil Sophia) for flights up to the alpine of Little White. Damon had paid for his first flight with me 3 years ago in the Rockies – all 8 minutes of it, but it was the first time any of the others had ever flown with me at the controls. Quite a wonderful opportunity and just another example of ‘how I’ve fallen on my feet’ (as my mom likes to say) since I returned from Fiji. I loved the land and the water and my friends in the South Pacific, but it was definitely the right decision to return to Canada last spring. This is the first year that I haven’t been laid off for the winter and the folks at Valhalla Helicopters seem to want me around for a while. With 2 Jetrangers that I can fly now, and 2 Bell 205s and a Bell 212 to move up to in the upcoming years, I feel that I have found a fabulous niche that I mustn’t take for granted. It doesn’t hurt that my condo is less than 15 minutes away from the office and the new hanger that is being built.

My parents are already chomping at the bit to reorganize my room at the lakehouse but they keep telling me they didn’t really want me to leave. Of course I still plan to spend a lot of time on the dock there in the summer and cuddling with my furry sisters Kenai and Mistaya. I also intend to remain a volunteer with the fire department out there so I’ll be ‘back home’ once a week for practice anyway! Kind of perfect really.

I have truly appreciated the experiences of this past year but I feel that I have a lot to look forward to in 2012. This coming Spring will be my 10^th reunion and I am hoping to return to Princeton for it and see many many friends and rugby teammates who I’ve missed since I graduated. I also hope to have a sort of high school reunion in September in Wales for Danielle’s wedding (UKers, let me know if you want to invite me over for a sleepover...) There are even whisperings of a Bolivan Christmas since Tepita’s brother will be getting married!

I wish you all the very best wishes for 2012. For my last day in 2011, I am getting to fly a man and the woman he wants to marry up to Big White Ski hill for lunch. I hope to get a couple of runs in before I spend the evening with wonderful friends. I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do. Here is hoping all of your dreams come true.

Love & joy,

Chinook McLean

Uncle Peter – the wise and loving husband to my mother’s older sister Audrey – passed away suddenly this fall. He walked an interesting path in life, always seeming to be a little more off-beat and unusual than you would expect. Something that I definitely appreciated. He is a character who will be missed greatly. xo

BC Family Time

2011-08-04T12:47:00.000-07:00

I FINALLY met my adorable nephew Faramir for the first time when he and my bro Jeremy and sister-in-law Tepita visited from Ottawa for a couple of weeks. He's a year-and-half so it was an overdue meeting. I seem to do this with 1st-borns of my siblings because Maddie was about the same age when I excaped Africa and Ships to visit her for the first time in Seattle. I didn't have the same problem with Kate who was only a couple of months old when we first bonded, and those girls and their newest sister Sophia will be visiting in September. Fingers crossed I'll be around for that visit!

Anyway, it was a wonderful time. We had super days on the lake where Faramir was the bowsprit for the canoe, and Tepita tried her hand at kayaking, and I simulated failure of the stand-up paddle-board for Jeremy's photo-amusement.

Faramir's first word in the Okanagan was something akin to "Kenai" and our poor pooch tolerated very well Faramir's sometimes semi-violent-tail-grabbing love. Mistaya the cat perfected the make-no-sudden-moves-and-remain-curled-in-a-ball-downstairs approach to conflict / love avoidance. Soon enough Faramir learned my name but I don't think he ever figured our Nana and Grandpa....

Probably my highlight of the whole trip (for me anyway) was taking the whole family on a helicopter flight. It was the first time I'd taken Jeremy, and it was Faramir and Tepita's first time ever in a helicopter. We has a super flight that culminated in a stop by an alpine lake high above and overlooking the Okanagan valley. Faramir is quite the little outdoorsman and I don't think he will be as big a whiner as I was on the typical McLean-Family-Hikes that I'm sure he'll be encouraged (forced) to endure for many years to come. I don't even think he'll suddenly have the realization, like I did, that he is grown up and loves to hike even when there is no one dragging him out there with a heavy pack on. He loves it already. So cute!

We also had some speed boat rides, more hikes, wasp stings, winery visits, fireman training, delicious dinners in town and escapes to the Enderby Starlight drive-in before the visit crescendo-ed with Dougal and Lori's wedding in Langley. Such a fun day with lots of love and family and headstands and excessive close-up photography and an Afghan veteran Thunderbay T-shirt. Ah the memories.

On Shaw TV - Kelowna

2011-07-09T10:57:00.000-07:00

A wonderful woman came up to me a couple of months ago after I spoke at the "Okanagan Institute: Come from Afar" at the Bohemian Cafe and asked if she could do a local TV piece on Valhalla Helicopters and I.

This is a link to Gillianne Richards' very flattering piece.

Hope you enjoy my 15 minutes - or perhaps 5 minutes - of fame :)

Forest Fire Flyin' and other fun

2011-06-25T11:11:00.000-07:00

At the Lakehouse, Okanagan, BC, Canada

Hiya, eh!

I’m back home at the lakehouse and life is good. I finished off my stint in Fiji with some adventure around the big island – with shark-diving (no cage), waterfall jumping, barefoot jungle hiking and a 3 day farewell extravaganza. I miss my friends, the paddling, the scenery, running through swamps, snorkelling with Nemo and the barking of Beaver the dog, but the beer and my job are way better here in Canada.

I got home just before Easter and miraculously lined up a job a week later – without even a road-trip. I got hired on by Valhalla Helicopters which is literally the closest helicopter company to my house (22 minute drive). I never dreamed I’d be working so close to home this early in my career with endless Kenai and Mistaya cuddling opportunities. Valhalla has traditionally been a work-horse of a company with lots of fire and logging contracts but this year they started a tour wing focusing on Heli-Wine Tours– which is why I originally got hired on. I’ve also been doing lots of work on our new website that will hopefully be launched next week.

It is fantastic to work for someone who has whole-heartedly invested in me. Blair got me trained up swiftly and we were finishing off a mountain course when we got a call to go fly the jetranger on a fire. We loaded up the helicopter and I flew me and Stew (our Forest technician / thermographer) through the Rockies and over some of the flatlands up North of Fort McMurray into the Oil Sands of Northern Alberta. The refineries and their hideous tailings ponds make it some of the most awful scenery that I’ve ever flown over. But when the stacks are out of sight, we found caribou, moose, cranes, beavers and bear in and around the forest, dunes, streams and lakes of the burn.

For about 12 days I woke up at 3:15am to take-off a half hour before dawn to fly the 206 as Stew scanned the fire with an infrared camera. It was a steep learning curve but exciting too because a lot of the low-level flying , precision high-hovering and gross weight skills I had to use will translate well into the long-lining and bucketing that I want to do one day. After about 9 or 10am (depending on the smoke and the overcast) the sun usually made the ground too hot to make out the hot spots of the fire so I’d drop Stew off at the fire base and then spend the rest of the day flying around Fire Behaviour analysts or mapping the perimeter of the fire with G.I.S. guys. The fire was comprised of several fires, and one huge one - about 100 miles long and about 30 wide. For any Canadians reading, it was about the size of Prince Edward Island. It is considered as ‘being held’ now, though it was ‘out of control’ when I arrived but I will hopefully go back in a couple of weeks for a couple of weeks after the other jetranger guy gets a little time in.

I flew my tail off and had a blast doing it. It was an exquisite feeling to feel so in tune with the helicopter. Dad makes fun of my ‘Avatar’ comparison but it is an otherwise almost indescribable feeling. I wasn’t sure what to expect on the fire (but I knew I wouldn’t be slow-dancing to ‘Smoke gets in your eyes’ like in the movie ‘Always’) but I was pleasantly surprised at how supportive and friendly everyone was – from the folks in command, the camp staff to the other pilots. In fact, when I think about it, only the white male firefighters seemed to have an attitude – unless (or until) they figured out I was a pilot and not a radio operator or cleaner. In contrast, so many of the ladies – whether they were cooks, cleaners, fire-fighters, command, paramedics or laundry attendants – came up to me to ask about flying or just to tell me how impressed they were that I was woman pilot. It was so heartening and humbling to witness their genuine smiles and pride. It bears mentioning too that I will finally get a great paycheck from all my flight-pay on the fire and realize that paying off my flight school debt may not be as unattainable as it has seemed for the past few years.

I am back at home for a little bit and it is perfect timing since my cousin Tink and Auntie Jenny from England have arrived for a visit. Hoping the weather will become a bit summerier and I might get a dip in the lake, a bike-ride, a kayak or perhaps finally get a longboard and go for a ride on the waterfront. Also looking forward to meeting my nephew Faramir when Jeremy and Tepita come visit in July for cousin Dougal and Lori’s wedding.

I wish you all a wonderful summer (or winter if you are that far south)!

Back in Canada

2011-04-14T14:30:00.000-07:00

Hello from the northern hemisphere!

I just got back home this week and am enjoying time with the canine and feline and the parentals in the Okanagan. It's a bit brisk for my tastes at the moment but still beautiful. It is a novelty to not be sweaty at all times!

Hoping for a flying gig in the north or anywhere in Canada for the summer season.... and if I'm lucky, my first fire job....

Fingers crossed folks and much love from Canada!

(Haven't been kayaking since the Fall....but hoping to don a wetsuit and get out on the water soon!)

After 4 months in Fiji...

2011-03-24T14:33:00.001-07:00

Bula from Fiji!

I'm been living in Nadi for over four months now. Nadi is not the capital but the international airport hub, which is great for tourists but infuriating as a heli pilot more comfortable with bush calls than ATC clearances! Nevertheless, the experience here has certainly been worthwhile. Not only have I snagged a few more hours that would've proved elusive over the Canadian winter, but I've gained first hand experience on how to (and some days - how not to) set up a helicopter company in an unusual nook of the earth.

With my favourite tropical flowers - the flame tree and the frangi pani

I'm currently trying to decide whether I should stay on here for another 6 months or longer or whether I should take my chances on another epic Canadian job search road-trip. To progress as I want and need to in my career, it is probably wise to cast the dice in North America for the summer season. The lifestyle here - once you get over the daily frustration of Fiji-time (which equates to 'Africa-time' / 'refugee-time' / take-your-own-sweet-freakin'-time(!)) - is one that would be easy to get sucked into. I don't have the freedom of having the vehicle I was promised which is disappointing but I have made great friends from many walks of life, and even hang out with fixed-wing pilots (agast!) on a regular basis and manage to keep myself entertained.

Flying over the Coral Coast to Royal Davui Resort

Every Monday I run the Nadi Hash, and while it is top heavy with drinkers rather than runners, who tend to set runs that test one's mud-tolerating ability rather than actual fitness, I enjoy getting to see spots in Fiji that I would normally never frequent! I do think I should invest in some long soccer socks though.

Most Tuesdays and Thursdays, I wander down to Traveller's Beach Resort which is just down the road from my house in Wailoaloa. I've joined the Nadi Bay Outrigger Canoe Club. Though I'm a rookie and my first practice back at the beginning of the year was excruciating, I soon got used to the technique and made it onto the women's V6 team in 'the engine room'. At the last regatta in Suva, I surprised everyone by making it through heats, the semi-final, and managed to not come last, flip or get disqualified in the final of the women's single V1 500m sprints. I think they may secretly sign me up for that again... Our women's team places consistently at 2nd in the 500m straight sprint and the 1500m turn races, which is not bad considering we rarely get to practice together! If I do leave Fiji in May, I will be sad to stop canoeing since I'm pretty sure there's a dearth of outrigger clubs in north BC.... Check out the classically Pacific sport at: http://www.fijioutrigger.com/

Mom and Dad at Malolo lailai

My wonderful travel-savy parents came for a 3 week visit recently. Dad is apparently still going around telling everyone it was his best holiday ever - which is a pretty amazing endorsement of Fiji considering all of the places they've lived and traveled. It was great showing my 2 most amazing friends and greatest advisers my life here. It was stressful since I wasn't allowed the time off that I was originally promised but as usual the McLeans rolled with the punches and made the most of the time we did get together.

Lovo welcome party

A few of my skydive workmates - Bola, Ash and Kez - were amazing and earth-oven baked the most delicious traditional lovo for a welcoming party. Mom and Dad had a time-share week on Malolo lai lai where they were in bliss snorkelling, or diving and shell-searching on the beach. It was here that I found out the terrible news of the loss of a fellow Nile paddler. Hendri was on a typically ambitious paddling trip in the Congo several months ago when he was attacked by a crocodile and never seen again. I have been reliving my memories of this beautiful soul while wading in the shallows of the Pacific, while star-gazing, and while paddling across Nadi Bay. This strong, original, adventurous man's spirit always felt so akin to mine, and Hendri was always was so sweet and positive even though we gave each other unending shit. I miss him.

I was able to escape for a brief few days and Mom, Dad, (Chippy) and I joined my wonderful friend Michelle and Yurtle the rescued turtle at Viwa Island Resort that she manages. Since I knew I didn't have to fly the next day, we celebrated her birthday with more than enough tequila into the early hours of the morning. The rough boat ride to the dive sites the next day almost proved too much for my stomach. Dad and I got to dive together for the first time since the UAE and it brought back lots of wonderful memories.

I was fortunate enough to take both parents on flights over Fiji and they got to see my office from the air. When the weather is fine, the colours here are awe-inspiring and I was so glad to share that with them both. Mom also got a taste of the squalls of the Pacific on another flight - the weather here is not something to scoff at. We had the worrying but ultimately benign tsunami warning in the middle of our last night together, before Mom and Dad's trip too soon came to an end. They were given a truly Fijian farewell and much rum punch was drunk in celebration.

Farewell Mom and Dad from the back deck

I don't think I'll ever forget the moment on my back deck when my housemates and Fijian friends were playing guitar and singing the farewell song for my parents as we waved and
watched their 747 take off into the sky.

Good thing it's low tide at an abandoned resort in Kadavu Province

Now it is time to sign off - I have the day off and must go get myself into some sort of suitable adventure.

With Nook Nook in Viwa - Michelle's kitty is my latest namesake

Fiji Days

2011-02-03T15:43:00.000-08:00

I'm enjoying Fiji so far but it's a lot of work and I haven't had much time off. Yesterday was one of my best days here because I got to fly and I got to kick back and enjoy the tropics for a little bit... I finally went snorkeling and lay on the beach for a few moments before I had to get back to work. It was FABULOUS.

Days like yesterday definitely make the slog of a helicopter pilot worthwhile!

Fiji experience begins

2010-11-18T11:41:00.000-08:00

I only found out for sure that I was moving to Nadi, Fiji (hopefully for 6 months) about 5 days before my plane departed....so I apologize if this latest adventure comes as a surprise to any of you. But this is me after all. I feel like one of these days - if not already - my escapades will lose the ability to shock anyone.
Not too many details yet....but had a great first day here full of sunshine, bureaucracy, laughter, sweat, frangi pani, water, new contacts and a little Fijian Gold beer.

Northern Summer

2010-09-14T14:00:00.000-07:00

It’s been an awesome ride up here this summer but it’s getting colder and people are trying to make me admit that the hot weather might be almost over. I did go swimming in Bob Quinn lake with my Quantum helicopter neighbours 3 days ago, but I think that may be the last real dip of the year. You never know though.

The tourists did come this summer and I got a fair few flights showing folks the world up here. It was nice to be able to do it my way…which of course meant that if people didn’t have to hit the road right away, they might spend half an hour after their flight talking about life, travels, and eating cookies - and in the case of a couple of wonderful women: giving me jewellery! It is extraordinary the connections we as humans can make so swiftly. People who met me as perfect strangers, eventually left but will certainly have a special place in my heart - as I’m sure will this summer. I feel so incredibly fortunate to have gathered the experiences here in the boonies and in Terrace, and I do finally feel like I’m moving forward as a pilot.

Considering how remote the Bob Quinn base is - a 2 day drive from the Okanagan and a 4 hour drive from the main office in Terrace - I’ve hardly been lonely. There have often been visitors or clients coming by so I’ve had company with which to fly, jump in the lake in the moonlight, star-gaze meteor showers and drink cold beer. Mom and Dad (and Kenai and Mistaya) drove up for a few days, and my boss was awesome enough to send us to do some flying and exploring for Mom’s birthday instead of making me do the grunt work that was pressing. Dad even baked a cake from scratch!

I finally got to go home for a quick break in late August and had a blast in the Okanagan sunshine (and rainstorms) with my parents, visiting family and good friends. I got to ride in the boat, do some paddling, swimming, sun-basking on the dock, cruiser-riding and pet-cuddling. It went too fast but I truly enjoy my job these days that I didn’t have the melancholy that I always used to get last summer when my time off was drawing to a close.

Later in the summer, more and more of the flying has been operational stuff like flying geologists or engineers or consultants around, which I love. It’s challenging and I get to see more of the country and fly more hours. One of my favourite days was when I had to fly some radio techs up to the Bob Quinn radio repeater site at 6000ft, on a peak high above the valley. It was exquisite to sit quietly while the guys worked in the background and look out over the valley that has been my home these past few months.

Those of you who truly know me understand that my brain is a convoluted place at the best of times and it has been rather more so in the last dozen days. I learned to drive a stick shift as an 11 year old kid bunny-hopping over the sand dunes in the Emirates and have prided myself ever since on my driving skills. So this next part is hard to admit but I think ultimately important in admitting my vanity and fallibility. I admit to a lot the bad habits that folks gather after they’ve done lots of long solo road trips - eating, drinking, changing CDs or mp3s. 12 days ago though, I wasn’t doing any of those things. I wasn’t even speeding but I obviously was still going too fast when my tires hit the shoulder and I flew off the highway and rolled the flat deck pick-up truck I was driving for work. I - incredibly - faired far better than the 8 drums of gasoline and a half a ton or so of groceries I was carrying on the deck. I braced hard as the world spun and got smaller around me. (Thank goodness for my seatbelt.)When it all stopped, I wasted no time. I switched off the ignition and crawled out the smashed windscreen and ran up to the highway. While I am angry with myself for causing so much destruction, I am absolutely grateful that no one else was involved and that I got away with a few glass cuts and bruises. I am also relieved that the people at Lakelse still seem to trust me (even if I do get a few well-deserved jibs every once in a while). I was so glad to work the next day (after I got approved to fly from the ER) and am enjoying time up in Bob Quinn again.

The snow is coming and the flying will slow down and I’ll likely get laid off. I may stay up North or head Okanagan way or who knows. I really don’t want to do another cruise ship if I can help it but I’m open to suggestions that leave me free to return to flying in the spring….

PS If you’re interested in some super awesome music, check out the new album by my Ras al Khaimah compadre Tim Hassall. I love it! http://timhassall.bandcamp.com/
It is well timed because I recently had a mini (very mini) RAKie reunion with Anna Zacharias (and her man candy) in Terrace!!

Mountains in the Moonlight

2010-07-11T20:27:00.001-07:00

I went outside
Just go outside
Look look
Either the cold
or the view
could've alone been responsible
for taking my breath away
But it was both
though it wasn't so cold
Cold for November 1
Wearing pyjamas and flip flops
with a fleece blanket like a parka
So it would be fair to say it was the view
a photo wouldn't do it justice
Maybe a painting but only one painted on the inside of a sphere
could compare to the scale and wonder that I saw
Words
Words are wonderful and fluid and deep and emotive
but my words would never begin to pry out the melancholy and power
I saw
I can only hope these words will always be enough to remind me of what
I saw
But the lace of the night might slowly unravel
leaving my mind with just the hint of the extraodinary that
I experienced
Shadows across mountain cirques
tracing peaks
and peaks and peaks
and I imagined being colder and higher and closer to the earth than
I was
right there with my sandaled feet in the gravel of pad 1
And I wonder if I'll ever experience
mystery
such as I did tonight
Such poignant, cloud-fly-by, passing, shining
beauty
and though it may never return
to rest in front of my eyes
I so deeply wish that it will always rest
lightly and exquisitely
at the back of my mind
permeating my consicousness
Whenever I need a hint of otherworldliness
of sacred raw light
let me remember
oh please
please
Let me remember

Nov 1 2009
Cline River, Alberta, Canada

I post this now - many months after I wrote it late one glorious night....because I have a feeling and a hope that beauty and majesty will be in my life even more often now here in the North than perhaps ever before in my adult life.

Just putting it out there in the world

2010-03-30T01:19:00.001-07:00

I would like a job please. Preferably one where I get to fly a helicopter. Pretty please. I really really really really really would. Doing everything I can to land it. May as well beg the Universe too. And it isn't just preferably. There's nothing I want to do for a job more. Unless someone wants me to pay me to do nothing and let me fly helicopters in my spare time - of which I'd obviously have tons. Ok, even that sounds lame in comparison to WORKING as a helicopter pilot. And Flying. Yeah, flying is key. I can do tons of everything I have to on the ground - as I have done since flight school - so that I can fly. So pretty please - with sugar, a cherry, whipped cream and anything else desirable - let me fly.

Thanks for listening, Universe

Home

2010-03-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I am back at home in BC. Far sooner than I imagined of course, but that is the roller coaster that is my life.
I truly loved Vanuatu but from the moment I arrived, things with the job were 'off' and I didn't want to admit it. My world was shaken upside down when the boss told me that he'd be laying me off. I was supposed to replace a pilot who had quit after only 2 weeks. They'd convinced him to stay on until I was trained up and passed my proficiency check; by the time that happened, he'd decided that Vanuatu wasn't as scary as he originally thought, and as he was more experienced than I, they kept him on instead of me. It was a bit of a bitter pill to swallow since I'd been promised completely the opposite and that pilot had already showed himself to be of poor character, and had harassed me (in spite of being married. Ew). I am sure that Karma will take care of him. I believe something had already switched even before I arrived, and I never had a chance. The chief pilot never even flew with me. I know I'd have been the best fit for that company but it is saddening to know that they couldn't open their eyes to see it. That said, as much as I didn't want to leave, I know that somehow someway it was the right thing for me. Call me superstitious?
In the first few days when everything was reeling, I had a hard time making sense of any of it. I couldn't understand why everything had aligned so perfectly for me to get the job in the first place for it all to fall through and leave me worse off than I had been before. I say this part because I gave up my job flying in the Rockies to move to the South Pacific, and have been told that I'm not welcome to return there. So I have no job at the moment - flying or otherwise. I made so many amazing friends in Port Vila and actually had a social life AND a flying job and it broke my heart to have to walk away from them all. (Thank goodness for facebook. I can still pretend I Hash, play Ultimate and go to the Kava bar). I can live without a social life (as I have for the past 2 and a half years) but why oh why did I have to be shown so intimately what I was missing! Those friends proved invaluable in the days that followed my lay off. They never let me feel lonely and were utterly supportive. They helped me out of the terrible house-sharing situation with the other pilot and accompanied me on adventures - underwater, while dancing and to the volcano on the island of Tanna. And then I took some time alone to help me heal.
By the time I came home, I was ready to leave the South Pacific and looking forward to an exuberant greeting from Kenai, my parents, and a typically cat-like greeting from Mistaya ("It isn't perhaps dinner-time?" she'd purr).
Once home, I snuggled with Kenai, chatted with the parent people, did 2 loads of laundry and hit the road on my job hunt. There's nothing like long days driving alone to get thoroughly reacquainted with oneself. Historically, I've been very hard on myself. If I punish myself and think the worst, then no-one will be able to surprise and wound me further than I have already. I don't know what convinced me that I should treat myself with more respect than that this time around. Perhaps it was the phone conversations with my Dad, my brothers and my Mom that buoyed me (Thanks Digicell Vanuatu). Perhaps it was the scores of emails from friends - especially the ones coming out of the wood-work - telling me that I'd be ok, that I continued to inspire them, or that they'd been through the same kind of thing. Perhaps I'm just older. And wiser. :) Perhaps I can put things in perspective and know that there are far worse things in life. And perhaps it was that I connected with old friends and made a new one when I was on my job hunt that reminded me that while I should be myself fully, I should also be kinder to myself.
I am remarkably, surprisingly happy despite my unsure future and unemployed situation. I am waiting to hear from some really great companies and I really really really hope that something works out with one of them. But if it doesn't, I will start again. I will be ok. I do not not want to give up. I cannot believe I've come so far in this industry to be shut down now. So keep your fingers crossed. And sorry it's taken me a while to 'fess up to what's been going on. I wanted to be in a more positive place than I was before to share this. And I am. Strangely I am. Thank goodness I am!

Vanuatu = My New Home

2010-01-31T17:07:00.000-08:00

It has been a rather random and winding road to get to the present. Isn't that what is so incredible about real life? You may be puttering on as usual and something that seemed at first to be insignificant will pop up and change the course or your life, or at least its immediate future.
I got a job on a cruise ship again in Australia and the South Pacific so I could get a free ticket to be a bridesmaid at my best friend's wedding. For the first time in a long time, I truly had a fantastic time onboard and met some very special people - at work and at play. I got offered a job I likely would have never known existed because I kept popping in and saying hi when we were in Port. So less than 2 weeks ago, I packed my bags, waved goodbye to the Pacific Dawn and moved to Vanuatu to work as a helicopter tour pilot.

View towards Pango Village

Canada is absolutely stunning with great flying, and I had a wonderful time reconnecting with my parents and dog Kenai and cat Mistaya. To me though - a foreigner in my own land - it felt like there was something missing. I always felt like I was itching to go back overseas but it didn't feel right to force it. I really don't want to think about how much I'll miss the people and the place. Who knows, maybe I'll end up 'back at home' in the near future. Or maybe I'll be like my parents and be gone for 19 years or more. I do not know.

I do know that I will love it here in Vanuatu. For people not used to a developing country, it could be terrifying, but to me it is thrilling and it feels like home. It's hot and muggy and there are huge potholes in the roads. There's dust and bugs and turquouise blue water. I've flown over dugongs and turtles, onto sandy beaches and low into a jungle canopied canyon. The majority of my work will be 7 minute scenic flights on and off a pontoon in the harbour, and I've been assured that I will get bored out of my mind very shortly. But now that I'm a little less stressed having just passed my competency check, I think I will allow myself to start enjoying life and work here, and I won't be able to start wishing I was anywhere else.

Celebrating passing my proficiency check

To South Pacific Shores

2009-11-26T07:54:00.000-08:00

And I'm off. I leave for Australia and the South Pacific in a matter of hours. Looking forward to lots of snorkeling, sunshine, island exploration in reef sandals and perhaps a little surfing. Also pumped to visit with old friends on the Pacific Dawn and in Sydney, Brisbane and maybe Cairns. Enjoy the winter the rest of you Canucks! I will miss the skiing but I luckily got a day in already.

Sibling Rivalry

2009-11-26T07:16:00.000-08:00

Most people seem to think that all I do is travel. They are confused - all I want to do (sometimes) is travel - but I don't always get what I want. Since I've been grown up, most all of my traveling has been for work. I just happen to choose to work in places that most people think they can only dream of going. Or places they'd never think they'd want to go to anyway. My roadtrip south was an exception. Other exceptions include family visits. I mostly only ever travel for work and family. I wish I could visit friends more - I could suggest you all move to the Canadian Rockies or near my parent people....

I took a couple of weeks to visit my brothers back in October. I escaped the then-icy Alberta mountains for our great Nation's Capital - and the French town across the river. Jeremy and Maria Teresa live in Gatineau which is right across the river from Ottawa. I'd never been there before so I enjoyed wandering around Parliament, lots of museums and markets. The three of us had an intimate Canadian Thanksgiving dinner together. Tepita was stoked I was there because it was an excuse to get some turkey! My brother continues to be vegetarian. I do not.

An old friend from Camp Big Canoe came to visit and we all went to explore a quaint nearby village, complete with covered bridge and steam train.

Dale and I later visited the Gatineau Hills where an extraordinarily competetive game of Hide and Seek was attempted and where we spied a super cute beaver couple hard a work.
I next flew onto Raleigh, North Carolina to see the other brother and his brood. Amy, their daughters Maddie and Kate, and I enjoyed the state fair. Let me rephrase that. Amy and I dragged the girls around as we ate everything in sight, save for the giant turkey leg (I like white meat). Ok, not entirely true, Maddie went on rides galore and my Beirut prowess won her a Nemo. Kate was happy to snooze and chug formula.

But Amy and I did eat more than our fair share of fair food. Mmmmmmm. I got to spend a lot of time over my visit bonding with Kate, and I consider it just good fortune - not great skill - that she seemed to be a calm and settled baby while I visited.

We all went for a great hike in the woods and I felt like I was chasing the changing of leaves. I got them in Alberta, Ontario and North Carolina. Fabulous timing!

Beauty

2009-11-01T22:45:00.000-08:00

I've had such wonderful, fabulous and torturous beauty in my life. It all comes in varying degrees with such random backdrops.

Last night I went outside here at the heliport. Not sure why as I should've been asleep and it was after midnight. But I did and found a scene that moved me deeply. The almost full moon and the clouds that whipped by in the wind left me awestruck and melancholy but smiling. I thought of folk cozied up in warm winter beds and of other adventurers holed up on precipices that alternated between shadow and bright moonrays.

Tonight I went outside again and - of course - could not capture the same exquisite feeling as yesterday but I got thinking about love and beauty. About the glorious moments in my life that I never want to forget. There are, and I hope will be, many more than I'll type up tonight but I ought to do what I can to maintain the amazing memories. In no particular order.

Ras al Hadd - I think - the Omani coast anyway, on the beach of turtles. Late in the afternoon, it felt like, and I was in the rustic changeroom / bathroom. I remember so clearly fabulous Anne. She must've been lathering me up with sunblock - so perhaps it was early in the morning - and she made some comment about my youthful skin. I felt years of memories and such poignant yearning in her voice as she touched my shoulder. I could not have understood what she felt, and likely still cannot but I knew enough to know that I would one day. I never felt more beautiful than she made me feel right then, though I knew it was mostly because I was young. I learned then what I must appreciate - even though I was about 15 and like every other 15 year old so terribly critical of my self. As Jack Nicholson may say: THIS is as good as it gets.

Riding a bike - tipsy and giddy - down London streets in the middle of the night. Laughing with a fellow heart.

Seeing the whole sky of stars reflected in the surface of Lake Okanagan. Finding my constellation and making a wish for both images.

Dodging wisps of clouds on a crisp and dreamlike morning flight.

Watching the sun go down and the stars begin to twinkle with my dad on a boat in Indonesia.

Listening to 2 boys slyly rock out in my last class of ground school - made me laugh and laugh and still laugh now when I think about it.

Playing musical 'stones' in Oruchinga and tickling a small boy child nestled on my lap, watched him howl and howl with glee, with no effort made to escape my torturing fingertips.

Playing hide and seek in too tall grass on a too wonderfully warm fall afternoon.

A blood red sun setting in the background as I gazed at beauty in a friend's face after my first day down the Nile.

Being carried to bed by both of my giggling brothers after falling asleep watching a movie - when I was far too old and big to warrant being carried to bed anymore.

Wearing baby cake's old blue running shirt and wandering outside on the wet grass in the pouring New Jersey rain - all alone.

Swimming. Almost anywhere. I always end up happier when I'm swimming. Far out - so far out I'm almost scared - at Mystery Island, I startle big old sea turtles off the sandy bottom. Late at night in the Zambezi. The Nile. The Arabian Gulf. The Okanagan (brrr!). Diving down on a lazy afternoon or a fresh morning and looking up at the surface and the sun through the gold-lit strands of my hair. Jaws theme thrumming in my head as I stalk and attack my oblivious mother - year after year after year.

Listening to Jack and Diane for the very first time wearing just jeans and lit by a lava lamp. Have loved lava lamps ever since.

Head on Slug's shoulder and hers on mine bawling and bawling outside the Dubai movie theatre - for William Wallace.

Wandering around the jasmine night garden in RAK, resting my cheek against my own flame tree and wondering when I'd ever figure out my applied math homework. I did - eventually - but isn't it funny that the nights spent wandering when so frustrated are now far more important than the vectors that were frustrating me.

Dark nights in Kenya, in summer camp, in Zion where I preferred to walk without switching on my flashlight.

Curled up in the bat cave with sweet talk after an uneventful foray onto the bungee tower. Words that I thought I'd never forget that are now nothing but sugar in my memory.

So so so many more I could keep remembering and writing but my eye lids are heavy and my pillow is calling.

The Winding Road - Part II

2009-10-16T21:06:00.000-07:00

The following montage follows my more lonely return North. I sadly had to leave Liz in LA and proceeded to Caz and Froggie's gorgeous Wedding in San Francisco. After some quality catch up with them and others, including Aaron Michels and wife Jess, I continued up the coast. Oregon was breathtaking - I'd heard a lot of hype but I was not disappointed. The driving and 2 nights of introspective camping were good for my soul. I even visited Chinook, Washington before I dashed home to the Okanagan to snuggle with Kenai and Mistaya, connect with the 'rents, do laundry, pick out a bridesmaid dress pattern for Laura's wedding in Australia, service the Hyundai and change over to winter tires before returning to the heliport for work.

The beautiful Brides

The Wedding Photobooth was truly genius
Kelli, Caz, Nellie (just visible behind hair) & I

Best Woman Chris with PUWRFCers Froggie, Cyn & I

Pile-o-Puppies at the Bridal Brunch

The shrouded Golden Gate Bridge

Wishes in the Sand

Seagull perch

The unbelievable Southern Oregon Coast

Bird dance at the North Oregon Coast

An Oregon Sunset

Dunes & the Pacific in morning light
Perfect for a swift dip

I fell fell fell in love with this washed up jellyfish

Chinook, Washington that is

The Winding Road - Part I

2009-10-03T19:28:00.000-07:00

My college roommate Liz Bernier joined me for one half of a fabulous roadtrip from Calgary to California. We took the inland route down hitting almost every national park on the way to L.A. where I dropped her off. I then pointed Northwards via San Francisco, the Oregon Coast and Washington for home in BC and back to the heliport in Alberta. All in about 12 days. Only one day of the trip was spent not on the road for 6 to 12 hours, so it's a good thing I love to drive. And good that Liz loved riding shotgun - what a pair! The drive was a wonderful epic....and I hope I'll get to write more about it shortly but for now I hope a photo montage will do.

Waterfall in Yellowstone National Park

Buffalo Couple in Yellowstone

Old Faithful in Yellowstone

Exquisite and natural Liz

Liz at the incomparable Bryce Canyon

Bryce Sculptures

Bryce bridges

At the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Pensive at an overlook

Life is good with Liz and the beer at the Grand Canyon

Roadtrip Roommates

Night Falls at Zion National Park

Lakehouse not charred

2009-08-17T21:59:00.000-07:00

Just wanted to send the latest update. The Lakehouse has so far survived the blaze (that is allegedly out, though Mom and Dad reported a fire on Terrace Mountain on their boatride this evening). The parent people and pets were allowed back home several days ago. We are so thankful for having such giving and generous friends who allowed them all to stay. And so very grateful for the hardwork of the firefighters - air and ground. Thank you all for your kind supportive words in this stressful time.

Evacuated

2009-08-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Things were looking so so good for the Terrace Mountain Fire. They even reopened Westside Road the morning I was due to leave to return to the heliport - so I got to drive the short way round the lake to get back there.

That is, it was going well til Saturday night. I received first this email from my Mom:

"The smoke is terrible. There are police cars flashing all along westside Road. dad is getting the suitcases out and turning the car around. Love you, Mum xxxx"

And then this one sent only 5 minutes later: "We have to evacuate xx"

Needless to say, I was so upset and alarmed but was relieved when I managed to speak with my parents on their cell and discovered they had safely made it out of the evacuation zone with Kenai and Mistaya and a few of our odds and ends and had a place to stay with some of their many friends.

Apparently there was a windshift and the fire which had been 90% contained and about 4500 hectares large grew to over 8000 hectares and uncontrolled. It seems things are getting under control again and about 300 evacuees have been allowed home, but unfortunately not my parents and pets just yet. We have learned from experience that things like this can so swifly get back out of control. Hopefully the cooler, wetter weather forecast will aid in the firefighting efforts.

I am so thankful for the hard work of all the firefighters, ground crew and aircrew that are fighting to save my home and those of many many others.

Evacuation Alert

2009-07-25T12:00:00.000-07:00

Fires have been burning all over the Okanagan for over a week - with many families affected by the blazes, and several homes destroyed in the Glenrose fire. I got my time off at preciselythe correct moment on Thursday. I was actually out being ground crew for my boss who was flying tree-planters around near Nordegg, Alberta when my mother called the heliport with the news that our home and family were now on Evacuation Alert due to the Terrace Mountain Fire.

Smoke - not Thunderheads - from the Terrace Mountain fire
Photo taken from our home by my parents 22 July 09

I didn't get the news until I returned to the base after 3pm. Families only a kilometer up the road in Shelter Cove were evacuated, and we were on alert to evacuate at a moment's notice. We pack fast when we know we're heading home, but I was faster than usual if you can believe that!
The drive was agonizing - especially when stuck behind incompetant RV drivers on narrow roads. Radio is intermittent in the mountains and I rarely seemed to be in the right place on the hour or half-hour mark when they were giving news updates on the fire. My emotions were all over the map - but the feeling of helplessness was excruciating and I spent most time daydreaming about contacting all my heli-buddies to see who needed ground crew. Most of all, I wanted to get home so I could be with my parents and Kenai and Mistaya. I was most afraid they would order our evacuation and I wouldn't be there to help. I have to admit that I broke down before the drive when my mom asked if there was anything I wanted out of my room besides my University degree. That's all I asked for - besides them and the animals! - earlier in the week when it seemed only a distant possibility of our having to evacuate. This is the first time I haven't bothered to unpack the car after returning from the heliport!
Now that I'm back home, my emotions are a little more stable. It helps that we went out on the lake yesterday to have a look at the fire and it was not as threatening as it had been 2 days before when my parents had gone out with a friend. Some of the houses nearby that were ordered to evacuate have been allowed back home, though still on alert. We remain on alert but a bit of cool weather and the hard work of helicopters and firefighters on the ground seems to have paid off, and now the fire is 25% under control (as opposed to the radio reports I heard on my way home as absolutely uncontrolled and advancing at a rate of 30 meters a minute).

The Terrace Mountain Fire and Sky
Photo taken by my parents from a boat on the Lake 22 July 09

We remain positive but ready to leave, and thankful for so many offers of assistance from local friends.

If you are curious, our house is between the Cinnibar Creek and the Lake Okangan Resort, and this is a link to our local news: http://www.castanet.net/

I was so pumped when this S-64 Skycrane FINALLY showed up to fight the fire after we'd been waiting to see some action on our boat in the middle of the lake near Fintry
24 July 2009

Two S-64s flew circuits from their refilling point behind trees at Fintry to the fire - over a ridge and out of eye-sight, 24 July 2009

A Skycrane flying right over our house
24 July 2009

1 of 6 amphibious airplanes called in from Alberta to work on the fire - flew circuits from the lake, over our house, to the fire. We found out later that they were apparently only practicing for several hours in case they were needed. At 4,500 hectares and 25% contained, I don't know who decided they aren't needed, especially when they are already here.

Hot and High

2009-06-28T23:14:00.000-07:00

Waterfalls in Johnstone Canyon, near Banff

Salutations!

I have been mildly berated from some friends for taking so long to send an update. Trying to store up the adventures so I keep you somewhat entertained. It has been a couple of months now…so voila!

Bowie the Grizzly and her 2 gorgeous cubs, near Bow Lake, Icefield Parkway

I have had a couple of shifts at work since I last wrote. 3 weeks straight is brutal. The one before last almost got extended to 4 weeks since one of the other pilots transferred to the Canmore/Kananaskis base and I got ‘promoted’ and moved to his shift. Luckily Mom and Dad (and Kenai and Mistaya) were timesharing in Banff and I got to zip down there for a couple of days of snow-hiking in May to break up the month.

Mom, Dad and Kenai in the Snowfall, Bourgeau Lake, near Banff

A relief as everyone’s nerves are on edge this summer. We work longer and we have a third fewer pilots to do all the work, so we tend to get grumpy with each other quite easily. The upside is that I don’t usually have to share my room with anyone and there are fewer people with whom we have to spilt the flying. The downside is that as the only female pilot this year, I get inordinate amounts of teasing from all the dudes. I’m not sure that even growing up with the 2 older brothers that I did came close to preparing me for this. That which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger, right? Or just tauter than a violin string!

Bighorn Sheep, Whirlpool point, David Thompson Highway

The flying has been fantastic. I am not yet bored with our routes – the weather and the wind always keep me on my toes – plus the scenery doesn’t get old. I’ve also been lucky to have some interesting people and flights lately. I had to sit in on one of the new guy’s 55 minute Columbia tours to make sure he knew the route– and it turned out next to me on the backseat was LPGA star Katherine Hull. I maintain that she and her tour physio friend fought about who go to sit next to me in the back…. A few days later Ray Mears of British Survival TV fame came to film a show for the BBC. The Brits were unsurprisingly snooty (unlike my family!) and when I did have to radio the star, he insisted on finishing all of his sentences with ‘Over’. How very Hollywood.

Self-portrait, Mountain Ferry Flight between Cline River and Nakoda Heliport

I am indeed another year older – thank goodness for facebook – otherwise I wouldn’t expect anyone to remember. It was looking like it would be my most crappy birthday ever (not much chance to let loose at base, though we do have the odd campfire or pokernight) and then to my joy, one of our helicopters had to go into Calgary for maintenance. Yay! I was extraordinarily nervous as I had not flown into a ‘real’ airport since flight school, and this one was Calgary International!

Lake Minnewanka, near Banff

The flight was gorgeous but I was so busy poring over my maps, the GPS and the landscape with sweat in my eyes that I really didn’t appreciate the view at all. I was one relieved pilot when I finally touched down in front of the right hanger…..5 minutes beforehand the tower had asked me if I’d spotted the airfield yet. If I hadn’t, I would’ve been mortified and I likely would not be telling any of you, but the Tower had previously told me to stay well south of a certain runway….so I was making a most definite effort to comply. Obviously I was more eager than the other short-cutters they’re used to.? I still laugh to think of the giggles they were having at my expense as I chugged along as far out of the way as possible. It was hard not to laugh out loud when I replied that I had indeed spotted the airfield, and immediately turned to make a beeline for my hanger. What a great birthday gift. Just a few days ago I got to fly a machine to the Kananaskis base and back for a day. Straight up over the mountains (mostly) – and this time I wasn’t so nervous that I could take a load of pictures as I sailed along. Amazing.

Mountain weather that I flew around, Between Nakoda and Cline River Heliport

It’s awesome in the Okanagan in the summer and I’ve enjoyed some swims, bike-rides, hikes, barbecues and boat-rides lately. I had a long swim today to Camp Mewata (where I used to camp as a brownie with my mom Tawny Owl) but once I got there and had laid down on the gloriously burning pebble beach, it was so difficult to motivate to get back in the chilly water. I eventually did, but not after I contemplated climbing up to the rode and strolling along it barefoot in my bikini.

With that image, I think I shall scar you forever and sign out. I am thankful for the friends and family that I have in my life and forgive me for wishing that more of you lived closer….but I know that I have only my wandering self to blame for that! Wish I could’ve made it with my mom to my Grandpa’s centenary in the UK to connect with all the family, or my cousin Stacey (and Dimitri’s) wedding in LA – I was thinking of you all!

Summer love!

Bowie's cubs, Icefield Parkway

Back at Cline River

2009-05-06T21:15:00.000-07:00

Looking North Along Abraham Lake a few kilometres from the base
-
I just love how you can see the weather in the distance...the (start of the) prairies are like the plains of Kenya in this way.

Hanging with the boys alongside the Cline River Canyon
-
an awesome hike made hilarious back at the heliport when clothes were whipped off in a frenzy when Aaron found a tick on himself. Only he and the other furry beast, Adrian, were victimized.

The Cline River is absolutely gorgeous

In the Air - Again

2009-04-29T01:12:00.000-07:00

The Lakehouse, Okanagan, BC, Canada

Life is good this side of the winter. I’ve been back in Canada for well over 2 months and I am surviving the cold but itching for summer. The winter seemed to wait until I returned to give us all a kick in the teeth in the Okanagan but it just meant I had a chance to do a couple of days of cross-country skiing and 1 day of downhill. I tried to make some fast cash driving a big blue cab around Kelowna, which was interesting. It is funny (in a rather sad way) to see how quickly some people will judge you on your apparent profession, but I did meet some very cool folks – like the man who’d lived in Mbarara, Uganda about 20+ years before I was there, and another who was a pioneer of the Canadian aerospace industry. It is a wonder when so many people like to waste words on the weather that we got around to figuring out our connections in such a short ride. Maybe some people are just more special (to me) than others?

Speaking of such people, I was lucky enough to detour to the Kootneys on my way to the heliport to see my Mbarara friend Crystal in her new home near Nelson with her husband Dean, her awesome son Elwyn (who was a helicopter / pilot for Halloween last year – Auntie Chinook is so proud) and the newly-minted baby Emerson! It was a whirlwind visit but of course we fit in a mini-hike, cookie-baking and a dip in Ainsworth Hotsprings.

Many of you seem to have been wondering about the current state of my flying career – especially with this economic backdrop. Fates can change at any moment but so far, so good. I have already been back at the Cline River, Alberta heliport for a short stint. I am working for the same company as last year – but unlike last year, I did not have to endure a seemingly interminable waiting period. In fact, I completed my recurrent training the first morning I was back and flew my first tour that afternoon. What a difference it is to be a returning pilot! I still can’t believe my luck and know that it may not last but I’m enjoying it all the same. We have a sister company now operating near Canmore and I got sent down there to help out for a couple of days. It was so neat to get to fly a new, albeit short, route with a steep learning curve (and a radio call every 90 seconds). There is the possibility to transfer to that base, and while I’ve wanted to live in Canmore since I visited after college, it is doubtful I can make ends meet considering my current salary and the rent prices there. Stay tuned….

So….life is good. It is so invigorating to be back in the air and I can’t believe I managed to stay Earth-bound for 5 months. I will work hard this summer so don’t be surprised if I seem to have disappeared – 3 weeks on (of 12-14 hour days) and 1 week off (of which I will likely spend 70% horizontal at the Lakehouse, sharing my bed with either Kenai or the latest McLean – Mistaya the Siamese cat. The other 30% I hope to spend in the lake or stretched out on the dock.) Thank you all for your support. I do hope to see some of you in the Okanagan, in the mountains or on my next foray, wherever that might be.

I miss

2009-03-30T20:26:00.001-07:00

I miss a few people.

Well, it's true I miss a lot. And if you're not on the list below, don't be offended.
These are people who are still alive (I hope) but who I am not in contact with anymore....for many varied reasons but for at least half of them, I know it's probably my fault. And for the other half, they probably think it's my fault too. Funny how that works.

Anyway, I thought I'd send out some positive if slightly melancholy vibes into the atmosphere. In case these old friends actually check up on me, even if they are not ready to talk to me, I want them to know that I miss them and still think fondly of them.

In no particular order:

Buttercup Bear
Wavy Palms
Hill & Dale
Relatively Newly SaSsy

When I was little and had an argument - and what raging fights I was capable of as a child - with my Dad or Mom or one of the Bros, I could never go to sleep without resolving it. My best friend Laura thinks that I am morbid, and this may be proof. I always worried that something could happen to one of us in the night and we'd never ever clear the air. So I was a sucker for making up. But only with those that I love. If I am truly disappointed and have lost faith in you, I may give you a second chance (my longest, most doomed and least fullfilling relationship is evidence of that 'weakness' and is notably not on the list (ha) and not just because he still owes me money...), but I will not put myself out on the limb anymore. No way - that's when it is your turn to choose but I won't be so terribly wounded if you walk away since I was expecting it anyway.

On the other hand, for those people above, in spite or perhaps because of all our histories, I am willing to have a little bit of my heart wait on that limb for you. Possibly indefinitely. Maybe not. Who really knows? No need to be creeped out - this is a good thing. A friendship thing. Get your mind out of the gutter. And I just wanted you to know. I wish you well.

I know

2009-03-23T23:37:00.000-07:00

I should write more.
And more often.

I wish I did. I feel so drably uncreative right now. I'm sorry.

Cab driving, Gold Coast and Sailing

2009-03-10T23:14:00.000-07:00

The Lake House
Okanagan, BC, Canada
10 March 2009

I thought I was pulling a fast one by spending November to February in Australia and the South Pacific but it seemed the winter waited for me and the Okanagan is being unusually blasted with well below freezing temperatures for this time of the year. I’m not too worried though because I know it can’t last too much longer.

I spent the holiday season and January onboard the Pacific Dawn and it wasn’t as bad as I expected it to be. Of course I loved the time on the islands and I managed to find a few folks that were worth spending time with.

Mystery Island, Vanuatu was my favourite spot for snorkelling. I’d walk the length of the island on the grassy airstrip and dive in where there were rarely any other people. One time I swam so far out that I was closer to the ship at anchor than I was to the island. I routinely saw turtles, baby cuttlefish, clown fish, crazy cool coral and giant clams. Highlights were the wrestling moray eels, the graceful reef shark, the eagle ray and the teeny tiny skinney silver and blue fish that would follow me around and nip me at the most inopportune moments (like when the shark was finning by) to freak me out. I loved each of the other stops for the different sorts of adventures I’d have there. Scooters, gin cocktails, waterfalls and creepy dentists (not simultaneously) in Vila, Vanuatu. High-point hiking and a secret beach on Ile des Pins, New Caledonia. Cheap massages, local beer, walking in the mud and luminescent coral at Wala, Vanuatu. Toasting the first day of the New Year with exquisite bubbly, great company and hermit crabs at Champagne bay, Vanuatu. I really enjoyed the laid-back attitude and the holiday implicit in that working holiday but I wasn’t sad to eventually move on.

I got to spend about 3 weeks with my best-friend-in-the-world, Laura Copeland and her fiance at their lovely hinterland home near Brisbane. I spent some lazy days reading, listening to good music (Brett has awesome taste and a matching record collection), watching old Friends episodes, playing with the dogs and watching a water-dragon taking a dip in the pool.

I also got to catch up with people from my schizophrenic background. I had a lovely lunch with my cousin Missy who had just begun law school at Bond – it’s wonderful to slip back into conversations as if we didn’t spend almost our entire lives thousands of miles apart. And it is startling to realize that we are both (finally!) mature enough to appreciate that looking like our (gorgeous) mothers is actually a wonderful compliment. I followed this with fish and chips in the sunset with friends from my first ever cruise ship – Brett and Gai – and their bubbly, trusting baby Beno. We laughed out loud as he chased the seagulls that chased the chips that we threw. When people think of me as unusual, then they have not compared me to my kinky and loving FireHazard friend from Princeton – Andy. She showed me her dungeon and boudoir and then the Brisbane river as we traced the paths we’ve followed separately for the past 10 years.

I had some time to explore the Gold Coast while I was there– a little surfing even. No shark attacks but it was amazing to see some from the lighthouse at Cape Byron. The manta rays, dolphins and turtles had me giddy with excitement. I so wished I was down in the water with them. It was awesome to see such amazing things and people and to reconnect with Laura who has been my best friend since we moved to Abu Dhabi in 1988. We’ve survived the Cage at Choueifat, high school sports competitions, summer camp and, inevitably, distance. She is such a remarkable and beautiful woman (she’ll be so embarrassed but hopefully a little chuffed that I’m writing this) and the only person who I think could possibly love animals more than I do. Well, I think she has the corner on the domesticated ones, and I get the wild ones. We did not act out the Sound of Music but we did sing some obnoxious songs in the Landrover when we saw a double rainbow – poor Brett.

I am now back at the Lake House – probably until the middle of April assuming all goes well and they still want me back at Icefield Heli then. Due to an expensive dentist bill, I’ve been desperate to make some cash quickly so I’ve been working as a cabbie for Star Taxi here in Kelowna. We’re the blue cabs if you’re ever looking for one – it’s a small family run business and they seem to look out for me (their only chick driver) so that’s comforting. I have only been working day shifts so I tend to avoid the Kelowna Krazies for the most part. One of my fellow drivers has informed me that I should wear more lip-gloss to get those extra tips. Hmmmm. There’s always something new to learn, eh.

Mom’s been off visiting my lawyer brother Damon, Amy and Maddie in North Carolina. My genius scientist brother Jeremy and his wife Maria Teresa are at the Lake House but leave shortly to drive cross-country to Canada’s capital. No, not Toronto, you Americans ;) Ottawa, where Jeremy will commence his government job as a patent-examiner. When I’m not beat from my pre-5am wake-ups, we’ve had some fun with walks, snowball fights, cross-country skiing and giggling with relatives at Cousin John’s 50th. Along the way, I got to finally meet my honorary niece – Taya (of Kai and Ljuba) – a gorgeous bouncing ball of feistiness.

In Memory ~

Great Auntie Jean – always appeared to be an innovator to me. My best memories of her are when I was a child visiting her home. She and Great Uncle Bob always had the coolest stuff that kids just adored. Sit-on-top lawn-mowers before anyone else had them – so neat to sit on a lap and get to steer. A stationary bike. The fridge with the ice and water dispenser that will always always remind me of them. She was and athlete too and so pretty and powerful.

Cheryl Beaureguard – looked like an angel to me with her white-blond hair. She left an indelible impression on me when I was a rowdy (but secretly romantic) child, that stayed with me throughout the years apart with only brief but affectionate glimpses of each other. Calm and beautiful and spirited and so loved.

Pierre Leboutte – the beloved patriarch of the gorgeous Leboutte girls passed away last summer. I have not felt prepared to write about him until recently. It is hard to think of the passing of my great friends’ father without worrying about my own. This charming Belgian was such a rascal. A great dancer. Blessed with a readily available belly-laugh and 4 daughters with cats’ eyes in the image of his true love.

Vila O.B.E.

2009-01-13T22:45:00.000-08:00

What do you get when you have a sore sore tooth and are stuck on a decrepit cruise ship in the South Pacific that breaks down so that you only hit Sydney at night? That’s right, a dental appointment in Vanuatu. Ok so maybe that wasn’t what you were thinking, but that’s what happened and it’s my story so you have to play along….
It was a sweltering day in Port Vila – as usual – and I got transported to the dentist office with an overly nosy old Aussie lady and her sore-toothed husband. I sat on the deck by the overgrown garden and read until it was my turn. I’m pretty used to dentists in the 3rd world. In fact, it has been a long amount of time since I’ve seen any other kind. So the dank dark ‘clinic’ didn’t bother me too much. I was just relieved there was an overhead fan to keep the sweat at bay. We are all used to armpit sweat – and no amount of anti-perspirant will keep me dry in these environments – but it’s the beads that form not only between the breasts, thighs and at the lower back but absolutely everywhere that can drive you mental. I digress. I got to cool down and dry out under the fan as I listened to the dentist give some final advice and farewells to the busy-body couple. And then the dentist was upon me. Quite literally. Well, almost literally. He was up-in me. My mouth, I mean, with his latex gloved fingers. Poking around and asking me questions that I was having difficulty answering what with the fingers impeding my speech. But that was almost better than the alternative. When he realized that I actually was interested in answering his questions and telling him my issues, he removed said fingies from my mouth and placed them demurely on my shoulder. Now I grew up in an environment where I was a constant magnet for somewhat nasty older men and boys with an unhealthy attraction to young white females. I was constantly dodging fondlings (not always successfully unfortunately – for me). So there I was, hyperaware of this 70 year old dude’s paws dangerously close to my right breast. I convinced myself that he was just a harmless old man from another generation where a touchy-feely tooth-doctor was entirely hum-drum – like the bumbly uncle who always seems to kiss you on the lips instead of the cheek when you’re 15. Nevertheless, I attempted to talk less and get my teeth touched more. Finally (with a completely incorrect diagnosis and treatment I was to later discover when I finally visited a 1st world dentist with x-ray capabilities) I emerged from the dental chair and was getting some post-treatment advice as we moved into the dentist’s inner office. I was impressed to see a framed Order of the British Empire certificate hung up on the wall. Nearby was a giant imposing photo of young Elizabeth II. The dentist seemed very proud when I commented upon them. But it was the faded exposed chest and bikini-bottomed model from a 1996 nudie calendar that really took my breath away. Right next to the O.B.E. Not really what I was expecting and it rather turned my innocent assessment of the bumbling doctor on its head. But I suppose if you’re going to hit up a dentist in Vanuatu, it’s wise to not be too picky about the atmosphere, and relieved when he keeps his hands where they belong - in your mouth.

When it rains in Wala

2009-01-12T01:43:00.000-08:00

The first time I got off in Wala, I must have been sick or hungover or perhaps both because I did not like it. It seemed dirty and rocky and all I did was lie on a bit of sand where too many people were trying to walk.
I almost didn’t get off the second time but a very sweet Scot came knocking at my door and convinced me otherwise. We had no particular purpose but to wander, and we did. We even found the chief of Wala. And some amazing clearings with towering banyans. Ah to climb those trees! If only I was a kid again. Or if only there had been no-one else around. There were traditionally dressed locals lurking in the bushes – waiting for the tours that we weren’t on – and I was rather impressed by the penis sheaths that I’d heard about but wasn’t entirely sure that I’d actually see. And then for some reason I was actually surprised to see that the sheath was just for the penis (as its name implicitly implies) and not for the testicles too. Rather a National Geographic moment.
So by my third visit to Wala, I had warmed up to the place but I went it alone this time. I missed the company but I found that I was raw and ready for some time to think. It was an amazing day. I started it with a Tusker and a 5 buck massage followed by a tour to one of the giant clearings we’d found before and a dance show. Taking photos of the kids and showing them their mugs on my camera screen afterwards brought back memories of Oruchinga and the Uganda that I first knew.
Afterwards it began to rain. I pet a tame fruit bat and walked the jungle beach path that I’d walked before. I thought it would be best if I just kept walking in the rain. It was. I found a silver and black moray eel exploring the shallows at the beach. When the rain eventually stopped, I read and I wrote and I thought. When I swam I had a vision of a tiger even as I dove and swam and dove and saw blurry colours of coral.

Champagne at Champagne Bay ...

2009-01-05T03:16:00.001-08:00

Happy Holidays to everyone!!!

I am well behind in my updates…. Many apologies but life is rough. Swamped with Christmas parties out the wazoooooo and tons of cool islands and New Years. For being my first Christmas away from home, it wasn’t as bad as I’d imagined. I actually had quite a few new friends around me, decorating the cabin and sharing bubbly and chocolates. It was also lovely to have a few gifts from home to open with my friends around me at our ‘Roommate (plus cool hangers-on) Party’ at 1am on Xmas day. Definitely the highlight of that cruise. I’m nearing the end of the New Years cruise and we’ve visited a bunch of new ports. New Years wasn’t the enlightenment that one always is hoping for, but I didn’t really mind. Shared the midnight moment with a couple of Filipina co-workers who were smart enough to leg it for shelter when it started pouring down about 30 seconds after the count-down! The highlight of this cruise was definitely New Year’s Day. I was surprised by a friend with real deal French (expensive!) Champagne on the beach at Champagne Bay, Vanuatu. A blissful way to begin 2009 and the bottle is hopefully still floating around the island carrying our wishes for the new year.

I’m nearing the end of my contract and was pleased tonight to be approached with the offer of a likely permanent position onboard and possible promotion. Though only a few folks onboard know what I do ‘in real life’, my immediate boss is one of them so understands why I couldn’t do a 6 month contract now. It is good to be appreciated at work, even though I know this ship life is not my true path. I have grown fond of many of the permanent Filipina Youth Staff and I will be sorry to leave them at the end of the month – but I do know that I have plenty of people to visit if I ever get to the Philippines! Unless they’re all still on ships….

Dravuni Island - Fiji

2008-11-19T23:06:00.000-08:00

Today I was on Dravuni Island of Fiji and the next 2 days I’ll be in different Fijian ports with shore excursions lined up. Today was very special though. I got off as soon as they would let me on a tender with a few other colleagues. It was a small small island and we went straight to the very top of it. It wasn’t all that high but it was hot and high enough to thwart some less fit folk. Awesome views and I could’ve stayed up there all day – especially at the top where the wind blew to cool me down.

We trekked down to the ‘far’ side of the island to swim and lounge. Fell asleep in the shade of the coconut palms for a short blissful while before returning to the ship.

I’ve been feeling rather strange lately – and I think the jetlag then cold had a lot to do with it but I just haven’t been as motivated as I’d like to be. This evening I felt like a slug cooped up in my cabin so I headed to the bow where the crew pool is and watched the sail away and sunset. It felt good and I got some neat shots.

I don’t work for a while now but I’ll be closing up the teen centre at 2am and then up for a 9am tour! So I’m trying to relax. May go see the show, may take a nap....life is rough some days....

To Southern Skies

2008-11-03T22:52:00.001-08:00

I'm heading 'overseas' again. After over a year in Canada (with jaunts to Washington State), I'm finally escaping for a bit. I head to Sydney, Australia to join the Pacific Dawn as Youth Staff for a few months cruising New Caledonia, Vanuatu, Fiji..... Places I've been yearning to see (some again after a 26ish year hiatus). I'm sad to miss a bunch of the ski season here but being as broke as I am, it's hard to afford to get out on the slopes as much as I'd like to. I am glad to get some winter-time sunshine and miss a bunch of the dreary cold weather. It will also be weird to spend my first ever Christmas away from my parents. All alone for the holidays so make sure you think of me!!!!
I'll be back in the land of the Maple Leaf soon enough but I'll try to keep posting while I'm away if I find any good internet access. Now excuse me, I am having my last sleep-over for 3 months with Kenai. ....

The World's First...

2008-09-27T17:29:00.000-07:00

....shrinking tree-climbing dog!

Rocky Mountain Tableau

2008-09-21T19:49:00.000-07:00

These are a load of my favourite shots from my Rocky Mountain Escapade with Ginny

A couple of goof-balls in Yoho

Voila Mt Chephren and Waterfowl Lake

Looking up the Athabasca Glacier towards the Columbia Icefield

Mount Andromeda from the Athabasca Glacier

Waves of glacier ice

My heart is at Mistaya Canyon

Mistaya Canyon

Leaning across the gap at Mistaya Canyon

The Vermillion burn at Marble Canyon

Fireweed - Yukon's official flower - the flower of my birth

At the top of Marble Canyon

Vermillion forest sky

The Hyundai got pretty close to the action at Top of the World
(So did we!)

The magnificent bomber - I love this shot: such detail on the aircraft and the earth

Brrrrr

Raindrops in Moose Lake - White Swan Provincial Park

Not exactly R.F.A. in Kananaskis Country

Ginny in the Mist

Somewhere I belong?

Gin Rock

2008-09-21T15:33:00.000-07:00

So as I said in an earlier post, I am rather behind on my blogging. I know Ginny has been hoping I'd write something up about our adventures at the beginning of August.... she is one of my writing fans and always so supportive. I hope I will not disappoint her in this overview of our escapades.

Ginny flew transcontinental (from her Penn State (grrrrrr) home) to visit with me in one of my week's off from the heliport. This is not unusual for Ginny. She met me here during the summer after graduation from Princeton, then found me in Uganda when I was kayaking, and later cruised in the Caribbean while I worked for Royal Caribbean. When she's not traveling the world at my side she's using her genius mind doing biological modeling. Read: math and bugs. Cool brainiac stuff. I don't always pretend to understand even if I too got a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology :)

We spent the week driving, camping, hiking, dipping and photoing around the Rockies. The tour kicked off in Banff where we did a 'quick hike' up Tunnel Mountain so Ginny could see the all-around views of Banff and the environs. I love Mt Rundle - a huge tilted slap of a mountain - a grand backdrop to the town.

We then proceeded to Field since Ginny had never been in Yoho National Park. Our hiking piece-de-resistance took place here when we did a grand 25 k hike (in one day? everyone else asked) onthe Iceline trail alongside Mt President and Vice President, Laughing Falls and finishing at the majestic Takkakaw Falls. A short snowball fight, some snow-angel-ing and body-sledding (ouch) occurred up high.

Takkakaw misted our sore bodies at the end of the day and I wondered what sort of shape we might be in if we ever made it back in 50 years....not sure if we'd be up for the scramble again then, but you never know.

I dragged Ginny to the Columbia Icefield for a Sno-Coach ride on the Athabasca glacier and a party-night at the Crossing. It still boggles my mind that they have about a dozen of the Sno-coaches there and only one in the Antarctic for research support.

This world does not always make sense to me. We laughed at the tourists wearing flip-flops and high-heels on the ice and got a bunch of photos in the icy 'parking lot' on the glacier. (A side note: We don't usually fly over the Athabasca glacier when we do our Columbia Icefield Ultimate Heli tour, due to time and so as not to make the Ice-Explorers feel less cool about what they are doing. But the other day I was early when flying and had more time to explore and got a neat view from the top down...while keeping my distance and the Sno-Coaches looked like tiny ants forging their way along the white. You'll have to zoom in on the picture of Athabasca Glacier below!)

Views of Mistaya Canyon and my favourite Mt Chephren impressed Ginny.

Next stop: White Swan Provincial park - down past Radium and Invermere, with a stop at Marble Canyon.

I'd not been around here before and had heard great things. It's amazing what a different feel a few hours drive can be.

We had grand plans to hike in 'Top of the World' provincial park but it got somewhat smoky as we drove the gravel road towards it. We finally found a forest fire fighter and pulled over to talk to him. He didn't seem to mind a bunch of bikini-clad rubber-neckers and we found we were at the outpost command centre of the firefighting efforts. We had quite the airshow and I got to hear all the radio chatter - which made it feel far more authentic. There was a bird-dog zipping around and doing the pre-bomb runs. And a great big bomber plane dropping streams of fire-retardant.

When that wasn't taking up the air, a Bell 212 helicopter was bucketing water from the lake nearby and dropping it on spot fires. I was in heaven - seeing finally in motion something that I dream to one day do.

It took all of Ginny's persuasive powers and promises of gourmet campfire food and a dip in the lovely natural Lussier Hotspring to pry me away from the fire.

Onward through some cowboy lands to reach Kananaskis Country - Ginny wanted to revisit a place we'd haunted 6 years ago.

The weather finally turned for the worse and we enjoyed a drenched night and then hike before heading for the warm hospitality of family friends (who I know from Ankara, Turkey) in Calgary for showers, dinner and laundry! Ginny flew back to the land of torn ACLs (well ok, just my torn ACL) and I returned to the heliport.

Rings and Things

2008-09-07T22:47:00.000-07:00

My baby cousin....ok not quite baby cousin....got engaged recently! We all knew she was insane before, so this just helps to prove it.

Anyway, as part of my West Coast trip last month, I got to attend her and Dimitri's engagement party. It was quite the night....and she wore her Bridezilla Tshirt with such style. Yeah Stacey!

I continued onto the island for a couple a little further along in the whole ball-and-chain process....

Nature was calling - well either that or I was too broke for a hotel room on Mount Washington - so I found an old logging road and got a little crazy with my Hyundai offroading and found a secluded spot for me and my tent. I was discovered by neither loggers, bears nor axe-murderers and enjoyed a spot of outdoor time. Of course, with no proper camping facilities, I had to get creative when it came to plumbing. A bit of a hike into the Strathcona park found me a stream. I ducked off the trail and into the bush to get freshened up for Sandra and Tony's big day.

The ceremony was lovely and everything that the couple could've ever wished for. They both looked snazzy and sharp - dressed to the 9s. It was obvious they had the benefit of 5 star plumbing. Sandra was exquisite as usual, and Tony was so dapper. And what a backdrop.

I somehow got sat at the rowdy table.....go figure....and we all had a grand time at the reception. I found the most attractive male at the event (aside from Tony of course) and we cleaned up the dance floor with a jive-y number. Pity the fellow was only about 7. Ahhh what a night.

Who needs sleep in Seattle

2008-09-07T22:33:00.000-07:00

Last month, as I headed West for rings and things, I had another opportunity to visit the Seattle contingent of the McLean family. It is sadly diminished at present, since Damon, Amy and Maddie (and Chester and Ellie) made the move back to North Carolina. It was rather sad to walk past Weedin Place and find that it was not only missing the 'g' that I am always expecting (Am I strange....uh yes) but also missing the McLeans. :(

Nevertheless, I had a great few days with Jeremy and Tepita. Visited Deception pass and was buzzed by fighter jets. Played soccer in the rain with J's team (Cleats would've been useful! I almost got a yellow card because of all of my inadvertent 'slide' tackles...). Even had a Mexican Rugby reunion with Fish.

Been a while

2008-09-07T22:29:00.001-07:00

I have been delinquent, I know.

I have many posts to write....my excuse? Busy with work and play of course.

Excuse me while I try to catch up!

The air up there

2008-07-26T15:12:00.000-07:00

Life has been pretty fabulous for me in the last fortnight. After a long, somewhat tedious, often stressful and hinting-towards-negative beginning at the heliport, things finally began looking up in my last shift. The silver lining is making its debut. I still work super long hard hours but it seems to go a lot faster and easier when I get to hop in and fly every once in a while
I managed to tuck a whole lot more flight hours under my belt than I expected and the extra time in the air is starting to show - I feel much more comfortable and feel like I'm making serious improvements with my skills. I got bumped up as well by the boss. Previously I was limited to flying just 20 & 25 minute tours on G-ZPM with only 500lbs. And now I'm flying both jetrangers - ZPM and ABE - and can take 600lbs. I also got to fly my first 55 minute Columbia Ultimate tour on the last day of my shift. An absolutely unreal and freeing experience. I've uploaded a bunch of photos from the ride-alongs I did in the previous days. I don't have photos from when I'm flying - for obvious reasons - and it is too bad because there have been a few absolute gems of flights that I've gotten to take. Somewhat surprisingly, these were on bad weather days when I had to dodge clouds and fly 'off the beaten track'. It was wonderful to be able to explore new areas of the atmosphere. Needless to say I'm feeling positive and enjoying the chance to recharge on my week+ off.

Huntington Creek ponds & ethereal Pinto Lake

Castleguard Mountain at the Columbia Icefield

From the top of Mt Wilson down to the Icefield Parkway

The stunning Michelle Lakes

Nature's art on Waterfalls Creek

An almost fish-eyed view of the twin falls on the hike from the Confluence

Pro Pilot at last ....?

2008-07-05T13:13:00.000-07:00

Sunny greetings to you all. Well, it is now officially summer. I never realized that the beginning of June didn’t count as summer in Canada until I woke to a snowfall at the heliport last month. Lately though it has been sweltering and I was extraordinarily relieved that my 14 day (12-14 hours a day) shift came to an end on Thursday. It was a momentous shift for me but it is great to have a few days to recover from chronic fatigue at the Lakehouse. Last time I was home I got to spend my birthday with my lovely niece Madeline who has proved she is adept at opening other people’s presents. It was great to see Tim and later, Paul, from flight school, Ron from L.A. (who I met during thesis research in Kenya), Paul from Ships, Stevie from Ras al Khaimah, and Kai and Ljuba (and their daughter in a womb-without-a-view!) from Princeton. These visits with many friends and my family helped to start to heal my soul that was smarting from issues at work and the passing of my beautiful Great-Aunt Betty. From all the stories I heard, I probably got a great deal of my athleticism from Auntie Betty – she was not at all timid and quite the sportswoman and I am sorry that I never got to take her up for a flight as that was something she said she’d love to do with me on our last visit together. In another lifetime I suppose…. Work at the heliport has been an up and down roller-coaster ride for me. To the masses out there, I have a glorious job that lets me fly over some of the most beautiful and challenging terrain in the world and that will impress (and scare away) hot men in bars. While this is true as an overview, like anything, there is plenty of dirt and wrinkles up close. I had been warned that I would have a tough ride as a low-time helicopter pilot, with many older pilots stating that some horrible figure like 90% of people who get their commercial heli license will never work in the industry. It never really sunk in until recently. For the first 3 months (working for no pay but dishing out for room and board) at the heliport, it looked liked some folks would be quite pleased if I was not part of the 10% who made it. Nevertheless, the day that my favourite fellow low-timer quit work at the heliport, I was allowed to complete my training and 2 days later on the 25^th of June I took up my first ever paying customers.

It was amazing and fun and I still can’t believe I’ve finally gotten over this hurdle. Every step of the way, you think: “Yeah now I can call myself a pilot” until you realize that you don’t feel you can say that out loud until you jump through this hoop, and then that hoop, and yet another. I believe now there are infinite hoops and I will always be wondering how I can improve. The day that I stop wondering should probably be the day I stop flying. But now I can finally say that I am getting paid to fly helicopters…..as opposed to having the money flow in the opposite direction. And that is an awesome feeling. A couple of the boys here were sweet and took photos of this huge occasion in my career, and I’ll throw just one in with this email and the rest you can check out on Facebook or my blog. I laughed out loud when I looked up from the controls after touching down and saw our engineer with a score-card - rating my landing.

The majority of my job is on the ground and if I’m really lucky I get about an hour of flying a day at this point. We always make jokes about the machinery we’re endorsed upon at work. Not only do I have my Bell Jetranger endorsement, but I am also endorsed on the weed-wacker, push-lawn-mower, rake, shovel, toilet brush, oven, camera, etc. That said, I am always reminding myself how fortunate I am to have a job this early in my career that lets me fly – and fly a turbine helicopter at that! It sure felt wonderful to drive away from the heliport with a pay check in my pocket after almost a year without one.

My brother Damon and his wife and daughter are moving back to North Carolina from Seattle, and so he and my Dad are driving his 2 cars and 2 dogs across the country. Mom and Kenai joined them for the stint to my base and I got to throw them all on a flight for free with other pilots– Mom was awe-inspired by the 55 minute tour over the Columbia, Lyell and Wilson Icefields that usually costs almost 500 bucks, while Dad and Damon got to do a 25 minute jaunt to the Wilson and then down to the confluence of 2 rivers for a hike to a waterfall. I am only permitted to fly 2 people (out of a possible 4 seats) at the moment – our boss will let us increase the payload as we gain experience and get better at flying the aircraft to its limits. I got a little surprise as I touched-down from a flight to see the ground-crew loading my brother and mother into my helicopter. They’d paid for an 8 minute flight with me! So I zipped them away for a moment out of time to show them my skills. I tried to play it cool but I was practically shaking with nerves and excitement. We celebrated that night with all 4 of us and the 3 puppies huddled in a tent from a thunderstorm eating glorious UBC cake and drinking home-brewed red wine.

I hope you all are doing well and that your laughter outweighs your tears. I am off to pick raspberries and hope I won’t fall down our little cliff in my attempts. Thank you all for your kind messages and support. It means so much to me. Take care.

True Teddy Bear Picnic

2008-06-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

Another drive from the base to the Lakehouse - just in time for my 28th (!) birthday - gave me a wonderful present. I saw SEVEN black bears on the drive. A single, then this family of 3 and another single in the space of about 10 kilometers on the David Thompson highway. And then a pair near Roger's Pass. I have never been so lucky to see such a plethora in so short a period of time. And I am guessing that I may never again have such an experience.

My birthday was a lovely intimate affair with my parents, Kenai and my niece Madeline. Good times and it gave me a necessary centering. I even had a night out in a pub with a buddy afterwards. Maddie is so sweet and comes searching for her 'Auntie 'Cole' if I'm ever out of eyesight. She is precious but soon will be moving away from the West Coast and I will surely not have as much time to interact with her as I've been lucky to have this year. Who knows where I'll be headed after the summer so I can't begrudge my brother and family for going where their hearts lead.

I love the mostly calm rhythm of life I experience here at the Lakehouse. Work at the heliport has been hectic and for a variety of factors I am still not flying operationally. The weather has been unseasonally cold - even snowing in June - and so my patience and fortitude are being firmly tested. And though I'm not flying, I am working hard and long hours usually from 7am to 9pm ... and still without pay. I must keep my chin up and know that things will improve as long as I continue to have a positive attitude. I have discovered a few things about myself in these few months that I've been working at the base. It appears that I am not a half-bad chef. I knew I loved to bake so that is nothing surprising, but apparently I can cook also. In fact several of my colleagues have commented that I'd make a great wife one day! That thought obviously horrified me, which further amused my colleagues.

We acquired a free windsurfer the other day - Craigslist deal - and I managed to rig it (properly I think) and even gave it a go. Of course I picked the most windless of afternoons, so while I managed to look cool standing on it with my wetsuit and all, I didn't actually manage to go anywhere except of course when Kenai pushed me along as she swam out to attack the board.

I do love this shot of Kenai and Maddie all ready for the beach. Kenai would like it mentioned that she indeed swims just fine without water-wings - she only chose to wear them so that Maddie wouldn't feel so self-conscious in them. The things that my puppy has to put up with. She's done more than most people in fact: she's a kayaker, swimmer, motor-boater, intercontinental traveler, mouse-chaser, cross-country skier, vertical bounder and lapdog to name a few.

Teddy Bear Picnic

2008-05-24T20:49:00.001-07:00

Got some time off again from work - shift is 2 weeks on and a week off. It suits me but 14 days of 12-14 hour days in a row gets long by the end. I am lucky to get such time off!
So I'm back at the lakehouse for a bit of a family reunion. Cousin's family is over from England and the siblings and co are up from Seattle also. Never had so many people (and puppies) in the house! It's quite fun.
Had a brilliant boat ride over to the Grey Monk winery earlier today. But then it clouded over so no-one was up for the water-skiing that we'd had planned. We'll see if the sunshine comes out again tomorrow!
Got a few family shots and the lovely black bear I saw on the David Thompson Highway as I drove home from Cline River. He was so lovely and not all that concerned about me watching from my car. It was the first I've seen since Thanksgiving. So cool.

PPC Complete!

2008-05-08T13:44:00.000-07:00

I passed my Pilot Proficiency Check (PPC). For those of you who aren’t familiar with Transport Canada and the helicopter business, I’ll do a little explaining. It is a ground and flight test that a pilot has to do at least once every 2 years for whatever job they are flying in the industry to ensure they are up to snuff. Before I could complete it, I had to learn to fly a new aircraft – the Bell 206B Jetranger. I should’ve been done a while ago but the test got delayed by poor weather and the schedule of the Transport Canada tester. It wasn’t such a bad thing though as I got quite ill and had to recuperate at home for well over a week! So I finally completed the PPC the other day and have been celebrating with a little timeshare holiday in Banff with my parents and Kenai. Glorious mostly sunny hikes the past couple of days – lots of bighorn sheep spottings but no grizzlies yet….today may be a Rummikub and hot tub day though as Banff has turned into a winter wonderland once again with 25 cm of snow forecast!

Work has been interesting and I’ve learned so much in the first month. We have 10 pilots at the base altogether plus the owner/chief pilot, his wife, a couple of front desk girls, a mechanic and a base manager plus Bennie the dog. As well as tour pilots we are grounds keepers, cooks, drivers, re-fuellers, passenger loaders, janitors, photographers and more. I also seem to have acquired the title of head baker with the McLean Family cookbook working wonders for dessert. When I get back I’ll have a few more hours of mountain flight training and tour training and then soon I should be doing my first revenue flight. The Jetranger is a turbine machine and therefore packs so much more punch than the piston powered ‘Mash’ Bell 47s I trained on. Wow.

For those of you who are planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies this summer... The tours are extraordinary for the scenery and the experience – even for me who has spent plenty of time in the air and around mountains – this is something else. I suggest you all check out the website – especially the webcam – you may even spot me in real time and see a touch of what I get to do on a daily basis.

On a sidenote: I’ve just been selected as a mentor for a Princeton-in-Africa fellow and I’ve got this big questionnaire to fill out – for anyone who feels like helping me out, I need you to write me back with 2 adjectives that you think describe me. Donkey-drawers-y and verbose have already been suggested so feel free to think of something original. Thanks!

PPC Prep

2008-05-02T20:47:00.000-07:00

Back at Cline River and studying and flying hard. My PPC is finally booked - for Monday - but I will believe it when it happens. (Pilot Proficiency Check - a yearly test for commercial pilots - and this will be my first PPC ever)

It's fun to get back into the flying....and every day I let myself relax a little bit more and it all gets that much better.

Today flight felt great and a wonderful highlight was the wolf we saw on my last takeoff as I was heading back to base. My instructor saw it below us and when I said I'd never seen one in the wild and I was a wolf, he swooped us down for a closer look. So awesome. Wish me luck for Monday.

Meme

2008-04-24T13:52:00.000-07:00

I received this meme a long while ago. So long in fact that I think the girl who originally tagged me has deleted hers! So I can't find the exact instructions; I get to make them up from memory. I'm supposed to write 10 things about myself. There's really no criteria for this...I started the list a month ago or so and have only just got around to finishing it. It is rather stream-of-consciousness - but I often find that most illuminating in others, so I thought it would be appropriate.

10 things about me:

My friends and family may not believe it but I can be a bit of a loner or hermit. Perhaps I am so exuberant the time that I’m with them I really need some intensely private hibernation time – at the lakehouse I rarely leave unless it is to walk or if I have to take care of something in town.
I once went for a hot air balloon ride with my mom and I couldn’t relax at all. Not because I was afraid of heights in the traditional sense but that I might go crazy for a split second and leap overboard. I thought the leap would be fun but I might live/die to regret to impulse. Kind of a scary thing for helicopter pilot.
I have been single for almost 25 years out of my almost 28 years. That means I’ve been single for almost 90% of my life. You do the math and see how you compare. I wonder what my percentage will be like when my time comes.
I was a tomboy for the longest time. My mom made me wear skirts and frilly blouses to school when I was little and I hated it. I would play possession ball at school with all the boys (and a few of the tougher girls) and would always fall over and flash my underwear….which was rather risqué for a muslim country. I occasionally threw boys up against the wall and threatened them if I saw them intimidating the quiet girls. For reasons that I never fully understood, I suddenly started combing my hair in the washroom at school when I was in the 10^th grade. I would even occasionally choose to wear a skirt.
The death of River Phoenix affected me deeply when I was about 12. I even had a sort of shrine to him and tried to believe he was a modern day Jesus. It was around the same sort of time that I had a deep held belief that I would die before I was 21. I enjoyed the dark. I would often go into my room without switching on any lights to dress or just lie down and think.
A fish once adopted me when I was snorkelling in Thailand. It was about an inch long and stripe-y but I don’t know what species it was. I thought it was so cool. I’ve always been a water baby. But close to when I knew I had to leave – the Chinese junk we were sailing on was departing – I started to get worried about my little fish. I tried to swim near others of its kind to see if it would go back ‘home’ but I only scared them and he stayed with me. One of the saddest moments in my life was when I was looking down into the clear water below as I climbed the ladder to the junk. The fish was swimming around and around my ankle which was the only part of me still submerged.
The first person I fell in love with didn’t deserve my love. I wish I could take it all back now but I can’t forget the feeling that anything could go wrong in the world and I’d be ok as long as he put his arms around me. I just can’t believe that such a useless person could invoke such a powerful feeling in me. I have found others that are more worthy since, thank goodness. But I want to be alone for a while. I’m waiting for the timing to be right.
One of the most amazing feelings is the change in temperature you feel when you dive through a thermocline. When I was a girl, it would be heaven to reach the cooler deeper water because the air was always sweltering and the shallow water and that near the surface would be bath-warm. I like to open my eyes in salt water and look around. It only stings when your eyes are above the surface. In the bath, I like to turn onto my belly and hold my breath underwater to think. One day I think I will suddenly be able to breathe there.
I am paradoxical. One of the examples of this is how I love the outdoors. Nature and being enveloped in wilderness. Yet I love driving and flying and other things that are helping to destroy the planet. It is hard to think about. But I do. Maybe it makes me a worse person to be aware of such a fault but not be actively attempting to remedy it. I suppose I’m just one step beyond denial.
I miss having friends. My senior year at college was my favourite one – well perhaps not fav but the one when I was happiest at university. And I think this was because I was finally content in my friendships. I should’ve kept a record maybe but it seemed that I always had a friend or more sleeping over on my futon. I lived with 3 more of my best friends. And now, at this particular moment in my life, I do not have any friends that exist in my everyday life. I know this time will pass. I am building something. But this has been an unusual year – even for me.

I understand I'm supposed to tag a few others in this blog and encourage them to continue the madness of the meme. I think some may have already done it but I don't know so many who do blog. Here goes.

Ruthie - she originally sent me the meme. A fellow goddess stilter and soon to be famous actress.
Bethany - hers probably the only blog that I actively read on a regular basis. Beautiful pictures from a beautiful being.
Ben - he more than makes up for my lack of participation in politics. A dip in his world is always educational.
Christin - she's a fellow traveler and one who has an admirable zest for life.

Icicles

2008-04-20T20:14:00.000-07:00

Things to do when one is ill

2008-04-19T12:24:00.000-07:00

Back at home to recuperate from some horrid virus, I've done little besides sleep. I've not been so tired since the last time I was down with malaria.

I am finally beginning to re-appreciate life and have gone on a couple of meandering walks with my lovely Kenai and my newly repaired Canon.

This morning arrived in a blanket of white. A stark contrast to the day before yesterday when I reclined on the balcony and wished I was well enough to take a dip in the lake.

Turbine Time

2008-04-07T21:42:00.000-07:00

A quick note for inquiring minds. I’m up at work now in Cline River, Alberta. The location is incredible even if the crew housing leaves a little to be desired and I have a human roommate once more. I get to drive through the Rockies and up the Icefields Parkway to get here from the Okanagan - while that means I have to keep my winter treads on for a bit longer, it also means spectacular scenery on the sometimes snowy way (like a herd of over 60 Elk on my last trip from home!). We de-winterized the base quite quickly and I’ve even had a quick trip home for some Kenai cuddling time, and Dad’s birthday.
I’m back at base now probably for a few weeks until I complete my PPC (the Pilot Proficiency Check with Transport

Canada

). We have a few clients every now and then, so I’ve been picking up operational tidbits. Mostly though, I’ve been focusing on my flying. Learning the ins and outs of a new (to me) aircraft: the Bell 206BII aka The Jetranger. I finally got to go for my first flight today, and as a buddy here put it, popped my turbine cherry. It feels like a whole new world, in good but also intimidating ways. One of the boys was sweet enough to take a few shots of my first lift off and take off. Voila.

Save lives

2008-03-14T16:24:00.000-07:00

Save lives today by donating to a team in the Madness Against Malaria challenge.

Click here if you'd like to donate to the Princeton University Team (We're in 11th place as I type)

Or check out the whole competition here

100% of the funds raised go directly to purchasing bed nets for people at-risk for Malaria

A little quote from the Madness against Malaria Website to provide a little perspective: Malaria is one of the biggest disease killers in the world. It kills at least 1.5 million people every year. 70% of the deaths are children under 5. That's equivalent to one child dying of malaria in Africa every 30 seconds, or 7 jumbo jets full of children disappearing from malaria every day. We can make an enormous difference with the money we raise. For every £1million (US$1.75m) we raise we will stop 15,000 people from dying. We can do this very simply: through the purchase and distribution of bednets (mosquito nets).

Funds needed for new fields for the Princeton University Rugby teams.

2008-03-14T15:58:00.000-07:00

Princeton Tigers

I remember the long trek down campus, across Lake Carnegie, and up the hill to the West Windsor fields. I had to book it if I had a late afternoon class and it was a glorious sight to see a car full of orange and black pull over to pick me up and tick off all the other vehicles on the road. The only non-ruggers it seemed to know the location of our fields were the Ultimate junkies and the Canada Geese… And yes it was amusing to see how many wet and muddy girls we could cram in Ginny’s wheels in the dark at the end of practice (I think 11 was the record, but correct me if I’m wrong). But now there’s a chance to have the fields a little closer to campus and in an area where rugby players could rub shoulders with other athletes. For year after year Womens’s Rugby at Princeton has shown it can compete at the highest level. I don’t know the statistics but we bring National honour as a team and as individuals as All-Americans to the Princeton name. I think this is a brilliant step in bringing a load more respect and credibility to my favourite sport.

Check out the info on the Princeton Rugby Website.

If you would like to pledge, write to Stu Rickerson at dfensnet@pacbell.net

Or if you are ready to donate today, make your check payable to "Princeton University", mark the memo line with: "Rugby/Club Sports Capital Campaign", and mail to: Princeton University Athletics, c/o Lorin Mauer, PO Box 71, Princeton, NJ 08540, USA

Jack-in-the-box Dog

2008-03-08T22:09:00.000-08:00

I love my dog. And while she's lived with my parents since she became a member of the family, and I tend to disappear from her life for work or school or travel, I still claim her as my own. I was lucky to be around when we got her and have had pretty regular access since. She's a black lab cross. Cross with what? We're not sure, but both her parents were black labs....her sister is almost identical but without the white chest blaze, but her brother is white! Only since she's relocated to Canada have we noticed that she's actually a mini-lab. She more than makes up for her short stature in personality. Everyone thinks she's still a puppy so I am strangely proud when I tout her as over 2 and the mother of 7. She is the bounciest dog I know - she's my jack-in-the-box dog - and she regularly makes me and my folks laugh out loud with her antics, though the local chipmunks who are currently resurfacing do not share our mirth.
I wanted to post some pictures of her from her early days in Malawi. She is still gorgeous but not nearly as little and I'd have a tough time fitting her in a bucket and perching it on my head today. Though we did get her in another tree a couple of months back....

I thought my favourite canine deserved a little tribute after the many silly things I made (and continue to make) her do because she's just so damn cute.

Camp Mewata Loop

2008-02-20T12:15:00.001-08:00

My favourite walk in the area is a loop from Camp Mewata (where I used to ‘camp’ as a brownie with my Mom ‘Tawny Owl’ and all the other little girl brownies….where I was fascinated with the little squished faces of the bats who used to hang in the cabin doorway). Kenai and I went for what ended up being a 3 hour stroll yesterday….. I’ve come to a wonderful state of peace in recent days. Not that I was in a terrible state before, by any means, but my heart and thoughts had been in a mostly silent battle of tangled confusion. It is remarkable how free I feel right now. And I had a lovely time ambling along with Kenai taking photos, soaking up the winter sunshine and enjoying the crunch of snow underfoot. We did not see or hear much wildlife until the very end when we found a noisy Hairy Woodpecker who was not at all concerned with his spectators as he hammered away at the trees.

Ground Hog & Tour Pilot

2008-02-20T11:53:00.000-08:00

35 companies called (and called and called)

15 visited

1 night in the sketchy Whitecap Inn

Numerous nights crashing at numerous friends’ places

8 cups of sickly sweet gas-station English Toffee coffee – hot chocolate

A few thousand miles added to the beloved Hyundai

1 windscreen ding

4 microwave gas-station burritos

…

My job search paid off.

I was offered the job as I walked away from the interview but was graced with a good amount of time to consider it. I hesitated to mention anything until I’d formally accepted, which I have now done. There are plenty of companies out there that I visited that I’d be excited to work for eventually, but many of them require more than the 100 hours of flight time that I currently have. Most newbie pilots break into the industry in a ground job, which they hope will lead to a flying job in a year or 2. I was willing to go that route myself…….until I was offered a flying and ground job right off the bat. I won’t get much time in the air – I’ll probably double the hours I have now – and I’ll be making a minimal wage but I will get to fly. And that’s why I got into this industry in the first place. So I head off to work for Icefield HelicopterTours in Cline River, Alberta from April to October (assuming I don’t quit or get fired, which is more common than one might expect!). I’ll get my Jetranger (Bell 206B) endorsement and then fly scenic tours over the icefields in the Canadian Rockies. It is a breathtaking area of the world which should help make up for my being completely broke! I will work 2 weeks on and 1 off so I’ll have a chance to do a bunch of camping, maybe even some rafting or kayaking, and perhaps the odd chance to come home to the Lakehouse for a swim with Kenai.

The Owl and the Bobcat

2008-01-28T10:57:00.000-08:00

The lakehouse has been a veritable wilderness lately. Well always, and though it’s not exactly the backwoods, it is far out of town and most of the land is untamed. Deer and bighorn sheep are frequently sighted along the road and a gorgeous bald eagle soars in front of our picture window daily. But the other day was especially fruitful in terms of animal sightings. Unusual animal sightings.
First off there was the tabby kitten on our drive. Hmmmmm unusual as none of neighbours have cats. It was only when it finally got tired of Kenai barking at it through the glass and stood up and walked away that we noticed its beefy legs and short tail. A closer inspection showed its ear tufts and we finally realized we were seeing a bobcat!
Later on, through the kitchen window we spotted a little ball of fluffy feathers perched in our bare fruit tree. It too had us fooled for a while with its black ‘fake eyes’ but then we watched a while longer and got out the bird books to find it was a Northern Pygmy Owl. It was only about 4 or 5 inches high!

Yesterday Mom, Dad, Kenai and I headed to the Fintry provincial park which is about 15 minutes down the road. Cross Country skiing was on the agenda. Seeing as I am about 20 years of our practice, and I was wearing gear that belonged to my brother who was about 13 when he last wore it (and is now 30+), I didn't think I did too badly. I could get into this winter thing...

Oh Captain, my Captain

2008-01-26T10:05:00.000-08:00

Mom and Dad (and Kenai) wanted to celebrate with me when I came home proudly toting my Commercial Helicopter Pilot License. So we did it in true McLean style with a huge bonfire on the beach (like at New Years) complete with Champagne, hotdogs and marshmallows. It was a night of big sky, huge flames, light words and deep thought....

When I was a kid, I was a huge dreamer. I still am but I usually keep pretty silent about those far off dreams that will likely never happen – or ones that I really care about but am afraid of jinxing. Like flying helicopters for example. When I finally let myself seriously begin considering it, I didn’t tell anyone except Fleeger, who was one of my teammates at university – a damn good hooker – and now a Marine helicopter pilot. I began my application to the military and thought I may not tell anyone until I was entrenched in boot camp. And for people who know me, well it’s true, I can talk. I probably only managed not telling my folks about it because I was on a ship and expensive phone calls were our best form of communication. It was much harder not to tell my friends onboard or the guy I was seeing at the time whom I saw day in and day out. I didn’t utter a word in the beginning. I was afraid it would never materialize and I’d be ‘all talk’. I finally told my folks when I was back home in Malawi and I needed their advice and to find out if I would have their support. Last summer I grew tired the slow wheels and bureaucracy of the military and wasn’t entirely sure that I should make a career of it that way and so began my commercial training.

So, back to when I was a kid. I always dreamed of winning an Academy Award (and a Nobel Peace Prize and an Olympic Gold). I can say this now because I’m pretty sure that those things aren’t going to happen….and I’m ok with that. But the Oscar was especially key because of the all-important thank you speech. The speech has changed through the years. At certain times featuring different characters that were most important to me at the time. As much as we want our friends to be there for us forever, it is inevitable that many of us drift apart. It’s hard to say who will and who won’t (I do know that my 'best friend in the world' will always be there). But just last year I had 2 people who I thought I’d be chillin’ with well into retirement step out of my life. And other friends who were more like acquaintances have become long term friends. Life is funny that way and there are so many amazing people that walk in and out and it is always sad when they leave in whatever way they do. I must remind myself that the moments – those sparks of brilliance – that we’ve shared will always be treasured. All along and from the very beginning, I’ve been fortunate to have 2 people always watching my back. 2 people that would star in any Oscar speech I’d ever give. My mom and dad. And I’d never do them justice. It’s true, we’ve had our arguments – that isn’t hard when you are dealing with 1 or more stubborn McLeans - as my brothers and I well know. But remarkably, throughout almost everything they’ve been supportive. Ok so they didn’t like certain boyfriends and always subtly tried to get me to quit rugby (surgery proved to be expensive). But somewhere along the road they seemed to realize that I was probably going to do many of the crazy things I dreamed about, like studying animal behaviour at Princeton, working in a refugee settlement, kayaking the Nile, becoming a raft guide, flying helicopters. And I suppose I probably would have done many of those things whether they wanted me to or not. But this whole helicopter thing. I really don’t know if I could’ve done it without them. I certainly could not have done it as soon as I did. I would’ve had to work on ships til I was 32 or older to earn enough cash to make it through training and the lean first years of flying. My mom and dad have so many amazing attributes that I could name – intelligence, humanity, respect – but today I am most grateful for their love, support and generosity. I owe them in so many ways.

On the Hunt

2008-01-19T19:05:00.001-08:00

While this lovely kingfisher certainly is not an inhabitant of the chilly province of Alberta, where I'm touring at the moment, it is a flyer. And it is a beautiful shot I took in Malawi - back when my camera was still working. I sometimes forget how many wonderful photos I have in my digital archives, I thought this one could use little airtime.
I'm touring helicopter companies right now on the job hunt. A first flying job for helicopter pilot is notoriously hard to get. I can expect 1-2 years on the ground before I'll get in the air regularly. But even that is hard to get sometimes. So keep your fingers crossed for me, eh.

Wings

2008-01-04T20:08:00.001-08:00

4 months.

80 hours of Ground School.

4 exams.

Plenty of practice autorotations.

1342.9 US gallons of avgas.

25 boxes of Kraft Dinner.

Numerous confined areas.

36 cups of pudding.

103.3 flight hours.

=

1 Commercial Helicopter Pilot

New Year Splash

2008-01-04T18:22:00.000-08:00

There may be no photographic evidence but the New Year began with a splash at the Lakehouse. Apparently not having learned from my chilly Thanksgiving dip, I followed my suddenly reckless brother Damon into the Okanagan Lake minutes after midnight in 2008. We made sure to stagger our entrances so that one idiot was on hand to rescue the other in case of cardiac arrest. For the record, my father also wanted to jump in but we would not permit it. The water was extraordinarily frigid - I don't think I could've gotten in any other way than a crazy leap off the snowy dock. Once out of the water, we had an awesome huge bonfire on the beach to re-heat and roast by.
It was all good therapy for the skiing we'd done during the day at Crystal Mountain. That's right I finally made it to the slopes. My best wipe-out was in the deep snow in between 2 green runs as I hesitated about which one might be harder and therefore more fun. It was hilarious....trying to swim out of deep powder with no slope to speak of. I was waiting for a 4 year old to ski past and laugh at me, but luckily I was saved the mortification.

Princeton-in-Africa Photography Book

2007-12-27T23:30:00.000-08:00

In case you want to support a cause I believe in – the one that helped send me to Uganda for the first time with Right to Play – I thought I’d do a little shout out for the Princeton-in-Africa Photography Book. Put together in part by another Princeton Rugger who fell for the red mud of of the continent, it features a few of my own photos (so I’m told) and the profits go back into the fellowship program! Check it out at http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/152821

Flying in the New Year

2007-12-24T12:20:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve 2007

The Lakehouse

Season’s Greeting to you all from the snowy banks of the Okanagan. I will give a quick recap of the year (as one must in these holiday ‘cards’) for many of you to skim until the end when I’ll give a little more detail of my adventures as of late….

2007 began for me and the rest of the McLean Clan in Bolivia where we’d gathered for my brother Jeremy’s marriage to Maria Teresa. Death road bicycling and into-jaguar-cage-forays were adrenalin highlights in my first proper trip to South America (now only Antarctica eludes me…..). I returned to ship life once again on the Freedom of the Seas – the biggest cruise ship in the world – where I became Thai Goddess stilt-walker and surfer of the flow-rider – before I got promoted. With my newly minted Adventure Ocean Manager name-tag I headed to the Legend of the Seas in the Mediterranean. Lots of hard work but all worth it when I got to visit the sphinx and pyramids in Cairo, watch sunsets by the windmills in Mykonos, get tipsy at a Sicilian vineyard, climb donkey-trails on Santorini, write poetry along the Croatian coastline and swim topless in Rhodes waters. I returned to Canada to chill and help my folks settle into ‘retirement’ (!) at the Lakehouse. I took a hard look at my life and dreams during that month of introspection and lake-swimming and made the daunting decision to quit ships (yay!) and begin commercial helicopter school at Chinook Helicopters in Abbotsford, BC. Yet again, my parents supported me and I spent the past 4 months in the Fraser Valley studying and flying away.

I have heard the comparison that if flying fixed wing aircraft is like riding a bicycle, then flying a helicopter is like riding a unicycle….while juggling. I am lucky to be of that breed who picks things up very quickly…..if I’m going to be able to do them at all. If I’m terrible at something right at the start, I may as well not begin! Fortunately, I learned to hover in Uma (My affectionate name for the Bell 47 I fly, call sign F-KGU) with little trouble so I was well into the course when I reached my first stumbling blocks. I struggled with several things, most especially going too fast when I needed to go slower. It seemed that I wanted to skip the whole novice pilot thing and be great and efficient from the very beginning, and so I also struggled with not being as absolutely perfect as I wanted to be. I had one big scare when I was out solo. It was the first flight of the day and it looked glorious and there was nothing nasty in the forecast……unfortunately the hectic turbulence out there didn’t care to follow any rules. A huge bump and a wind shift tricked my mind into thinking I’d had an engine failure. I entered autorotation (the heli’s answer to the glide), was turning for the only space in the trees and water below and contemplating making some maydays when the engine roared. I wondered about making the landing anyway as I was really shook up but managed to get everything back on track and into a climb about 150 feet above the ground. I gingerly flew back to the airport. I wanted to land and shut down but I knew that would be disastrous for my confidence so I flew a bunch of circuits at the airport where it was still bumpy but less so than out where I’d been. I even managed to keep the tremors out of my voice when I spoke to the tower on the radio. The next day I flew the best flight I’d flown in weeks – I don’t know who was more surprised, me or my instructor.

I was hoping to have my license before the holidays but poor weather thwarted that plan. I have yet to pass the instrument portion of my flight test but everything else is complete, so I am pretty much done. Will be looking for a flying or ramp job around BC and Alberta in the new year. It’s unusual to get a pilot position right away as a 100 hour pilot, so keep your fingers crossed. I need all the persistence and luck that I can get!

I’ve enjoyed being ‘home’ in BC even though it’s chilly and the Nile is far far away. I’ve had a chance to reconnect with some wonderful old friends and family as well as make a few great news ones. Had fun this past week on the island riding dirt bikes around and only wiping out once….up a hill. Yeah, go figure. I have even bought a brand new car – a silver Hyundai accent sedan – and the only trouble I’ve had with it is not being able to safely get it down the long and icy private road that is my parents’ driveway. It’s cheap on gas, but I now wish I could’ve afforded a 4x4! It is wonderful to be mobile! It looks like I might stay in North American for a little while yet…..

I hope you are all well and enjoying the festive season. I will be having my first white Christmas in Canada in 20 years. I wish you joy and friendship for 2008. Hope to see you soon. Let me know if you'll be in the area for New Year's Eve - we're having a bonfire and swim (?) at the Lakehouse.

Best wishes!

Karma

2007-12-17T01:07:00.001-08:00

Karma.

A funny thing to keep stock in when one's witnessed lots of bad things happening to good people. But wouldn't it be great if we all got what we deserved. I don't ever like to wish ill on anyone - however much they deserve it - but there are certainly a few old bosses and exes who won't get any flowers from me for their funeral. Even so, I am not the kind of person to do a tap dance on their grave either. I don't have the right kind of shoes.... ;)

So I wonder what I did wrong to deserve the longest and most drawn out flight test of all time. Ok, perhaps a slight exaggeration but I am still waiting to complete one last section of the test before I can honestly call myself a commercial helicopter pilot. It is especially frustrating to know that some folks were able to bomb through it in a morning, but thanks to me being a trooper and trying to be all accommodating and wanting to just get it over with, I got screwed by the weather. Firstly by low ceilings and bad visibility and then by high winds. At least the sleepless nights of stressing are on hold for the time being - either til just before Christmas if the weather improves, or until after the new year begins. Thankfully I only have to instruments left to pass. All the 'hard' stuff is out of the way!

It is pretty much holiday time now and I'm enjoying being out of the hole that is Abbotsford (apologies to the bovine population who may be reading this that absolutely adores the place). Actually it wasn't so bad when I finally had a car and could escape! I do find it odd that one must have a car to adequately function in Canada, unlike in Uganda where it was quite normal to get around by boda boda and mutatu. People laugh when I say this is my first car - at age 27 - but I never needed one before. Not even close.

I still have not managed to make it to a ski hill this season. If all else fails, at least I won't be far from Big White when I'm with the 'rents for the holidays.

I'm throwing in this cool pic of Dad, Kenai, Kai and I when Kai and Ljuba were visiting the Lakehouse. We dragged them on a rather epic hike, but of course I got distracted by this wonderful tree and just had to have some play time. Good thing I have a like-minded dog and friend, eh.

Snow falling on CYXX

2007-12-02T11:37:00.000-08:00

The end of my course approaches....I hear whisperings about the feared flight test. So it's time to buck up and get my study on. I'm at 85.5 hours; that's a mere 14.5 remaining. School closes on December 14th, so I should be mostly if not completely done by then. Assuming everything goes to plan. Fingers crossed folks.
Things have geared up for my lately. I've been busy visiting friends and dashing to the lakehouse to see family as well as flying a whole lot. I can thank the purchase of my first ever motor vehicle for the surge in my social life I think. Biking around Abbotsford is pretty restrictive. So yes, I have a brand new Hyundai Accent GLS. It's got 4 doors, heated seats, airbags out the wazoo and it's silver. Yes, I know - someone like me should really have a 4x4 but this is easier on the gas....so I'll have a chick car for a couple years. I have not settled on a name for her. Reasonable suggestions are, of course, welcome. I got it her just in time too - it is snowy here! Coming down in the bucketloads at the moment as I look out my window and wonder if my plan to hike with Kenai - who I'm dogsitting for the weekend - will materialize. I do have ski gear ready for a trip to Mount Baker with my brother as soon as school's out, so I could break it in today!
It will be interesting flying tomorrow with these conditions. I've landed on snow crust up in the hills during my confined area practice but have not had a chance to truly fly around when it is this cold. Good practice! I feel bad for those boys who only ever trained in the summer and have to figured out this harder stuff without a flight guru in the seat next to them.
I had a bit of a scary moment last week which I'm not ready to dwell on too much at this moment. A day of terrible turbulence but I was the first flight of the day and it looked gorgeous and there was nothing bad forecast, so I was released to do some confined areas by myself. Sufficient to say for now that I did not land anywhere away from the airport and am not sure how happy I am when I get hurtled up and down at great velocities. I kept a cool head and made it safely back to the airport to do some circuits where the wind was not nearly as gusty. I know that I will experience much worse in my career and I was relieved that when I woke up the following morning, the shakiness of the previous day had evaporated and I manged to fly better than I had in a long time.
That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.

64.2 hours

2007-11-13T19:00:00.001-08:00

A week after passing my Transport Canada written exam for the Commercial Helicopter License, I am relieved to be able to concentrate on my performance in the air. Of course I still have more ground stuff I can learn, but the pressure is off for the time being.

Uma (our affectionate name for the Bell 47 I fly, call sign C-FKGU) has been treating me well. We’ve been having some fun in confined areas lately. I am perhaps making her go a little faster than she’d prefer, so that’s something I should work on. Don’t want to tick her off. I like getting the first flight of the day. Historically, I am not a morning person, and while that is still true, I do enjoy getting a chance for a thorough pre-flight check with her. It feels right when I get to be underneath her, checking out her innards. Wiping away the hydraulic fluid and oil and dirt. Looking like a keener with a headlamp on. Knowing that I’m making sure I’m safe and that she’s happy. In between flights during the day, you only really have time to check the tail rotor and the main rotor, though I like to check all the cables as I’ve found a couple that are frayed. It’s always quite amusing to watch a newbie student trying to clamber up on the frame to check out the main rotor. Not too many are all that graceful, and I remember it wasn’t so long ago that I was self-conscious and awkward about it. I think I have a distinct disadvantage as I’m short, but at least I’m flexible and quite strong.

At 64.2 hours, I’m now one of the more experienced students – I suppose I have the street cred as well of passing the feared ‘written’. I like being able to answer questions when newbies ask, but also figure out how I can get the answers when I’m not completely sure. Explaining things definitely helps solidify and clarify things in my skull. Plus I suppose it’s good for my self esteem to be around ‘pilots’ who know even less than me, since I spend so much time around my instructor who knows fathoms upon fathoms more than I do. About flying anyway. And chihuahuas. And motorcycles. Admittedly I’m not too concerned about learning more about chihuahuas. It’s the flying part that I covet.

Ducks and Trees

2007-11-01T20:38:00.000-07:00

We had a last minute family reunion over the weekend in Seattle, which was the first time we had all 5 McLeans (who I grew up with, counting me!) together since Bolivia. This time we had the wives AND my niece.
I've spent a great deal of time with children - and always found my favourite age group to be Voyagers (9-11 year olds) which made me a little nervous that I might have to wait a decade to start liking my kids if I have any - but I haven't spent much time with babies and infants. It's interesting to have to go through the 'get-to-know-her-again' stage with my niece Maddie each time I see her. I suppose I've only had a total of 3 visits (so few! It feels like more) since she's been alive so that is not so unusual. I am surprised though every time how swimmingly we get along once we've passed that stage. She's a good natured kid so maybe I just like to think I'm so special. I suppose it doesn't really matter as long as I feel the bond with her.
With so many cool people around that I care about, it is hard to focus on each for enough time to make the connection that we should, but I did have that chance with Maddie while we walked along the river where the sockeye were spawning, and it was so cool. I had a rough year or more with my brother - her dad - and it wasn't looking like I was going to be much part of her life for a while there. I don't know how to put into words how thankful I am to have her in my heart. She was a totally cute duck too, though I didn't hear her quack all that much. She's walking now too and did a perfectly believable duck waddle.
I love this picture by the river featuring the Maddie-Me Role-reversal (with a little help from Jeremy). I know, we're so funny.
Ok ok. You all aren't here to read such mushy stuff. You want to hear about flight school and all sorts of bad ass adventurous stuff. No such luck this time.

I did have a bit of an adventure - for Abbotsford that is - right before I left for Seattle. My friend Eric had to practice all of his mountaineering ropes stuff before he starts his ACMG ski guide course this winter so I got to pretend to be his stupid client who continued to fall in crevasses. Perhaps a little hard to simulate in the flat lands of the Fraser Valley but I got some chaffing on my belly from the harness to prove my worth as said stupid client. My payoff at the end was to scale a rope in a tree using prusiks. Of course Eric had to scale the tree the old fashioned way to set up the rope and I got pretty neat shot of him with my phone. I realized during this exercise that not only am I short (2 inches shorter than I should actually be because my lower spine is so curved - from gymnastics probably), but I also have short arms. Well, a 6ft2in guy will find most anyone else's arms too short.....so perhaps I shouldn't be all that alarmed.
I am grinding away at the books these days. I'm over 50 hours into my flying, and all the way through ground school, so it is time to take the Transport Canada Commercial Heli Written. Yikes. My brain is fried. I took a couple of days off flying but I'm jones-ing for it now. I will study-break in the air tomorrow - let's hope the weather stays as nice as it's been since I've been on the ground!

Poster Girl

2007-10-15T20:04:00.000-07:00

Unbeknownst to me, instructor Andy was taking some rather photogenic shots of me in front of Mt Baker the other day. I'm glad they were doing something productive as I was quite peeved that they were fooling around right near me on the infield at Abbotsford airport when I was out solo. I mean we were the only 2 helicopters out there and they had to be pulling pedal jam stunts right next door. Some airfields just aren't big enough for some people.

Turkey a la Canuck

2007-10-14T18:56:00.000-07:00

House near the Airport

Abbotsford, BC, Canada

It is slightly frustrating to have to preface Thanksgiving with 'Canadian' so as not to confuse some people, but I don't mind so much this year as I finally truly had a Canadian Thanksgiving. It had been almost 20 years since I'd had one. Memories of the old ones are vague and meld together with Easter and other holidays shared with the same family friends - good food, warm laughter, hide and seek at night with the other kids....and I was always the youngest it seemed.
The same was true this year. Being the youngest that is. No hide and seek though. Lots of Rummycube instead. A wonderful group got together this year at Mom and Dad's Lakehouse in the Okanagan. Auntie Mary and Uncle Peter flew over from the island. Jeremy and Tepita drove up from Seattle - picking me and my new friend Eric up on the way. And Kenai was in bliss having so many playmates.....even if we only had 2 legs.
I hadn't realized how lovely it is to have a home nearby and to be able to share it with such interesting company. Mom - who still claims to be insecure about her cooking - did a fantastic Indian night, pancake breakfast and then the Turkey dinner before passing the burning-brightly torch to me to make my classic quesadillas with sous chef Eric as an assistant. My work paled in comparison but somehow we managed to kill the pile we'd made.
Eric helped me discover some more trails near the house and I found the old chapel at Camp Mewata nearby where I used to go as a Brownie. It seemed much smaller than I remembered, as important things in the past often do. We all also had a wonderful drive to Vernon and hike to Cosen's Bay. A wonderful walk and we managed to spot a baby black bear not 20 meters off the trail at the very beginning. Luckily Kenai was still on leash and too short to see. We couldn't see Mama Bear anywhere so we moved on rather quickly. Tepita was excited about her introduction to North American wildlife...and the bear in the grass was a lot cooler than the deer along to road that she struggled to photograph.
Back at home I managed to brave the cold and did one last nighttime dip in Lake Okanagan from the neighbour's dock. It was brittle-y cold and my breath was sucked right out of me. I could hardly put my head under the water long enough to appreciate the peace that I always find there. I had a moment and that was enough. Out of the water my skin was burning it was so chilly. Thank goodness for warm baths. Unfortunately I don't think I'll manage to have my traditional New Year's swim later on this year. The Arabian gulf is somehow a great deal warmer than the lake. Go figure.
Unfortunately the weekend came to an end far sooner than I wanted it to. Back in Abbotsford, the weather has improved. I had some great time flying around the airport by myself and building up my confidence and skills. Sandra and Tony from Freedom Fame surprised me by actually making the drive out here to visit and fill me with mojitos and martinis-it wasn't exactly Club 20-actually it was better :) My social calendar was brimming with movie nights and chill sessions and hikes around here - I even managed to garner some incriminating evidence on my second cousin Stacey. Hmmmmmm. I had a thrill at the end of the week in the air when I got to begin learning to deal with confined areas. Practically dragging the skids along tree tops is an amazing sensation but I have a lot more work to do before I can be unleashed upon the forests of Canada. Or the bush helicopters of Canada I should say!

1st Solo

2007-09-27T16:42:00.000-07:00

Abbotsford BC, Canada

Aloha from the Fraser Valley,

It is a glorious and typical day here - rainy with the sweet ripe scent of manure permeating the atmosphere. But no matter. Who cares that my thin blood yearns for the radiance of the deserts and equators of my past. I can be Canadian! I am at least trying.

So I've been here at school for a little over 3 weeks and suffice to say, it rocks. I end up flying for a little over an hour every weekday and have 3 three-hour sessions of ground school throughout the week. And plenty of textbooks to peruse in my spare time. Not to mention helicopters to check and study. I'm immersed in the world of Chinook Helicopters and the environment is extremely positive and supportive. There are plenty of other students around at the moment - though only 1 other girl -, five flight instructors (the chief being a woman, and the company owner), 2 ground school instructors, 2 mechanics, and a few other important support personnel. It's quite a large operation compared with other schools around but it doesn't let anyone slip through the cracks. Not that I've seen so far anyway! http://www.chinookhelicopters.com/Today I reached a true aviation milestone. And to think that waking up this morning with a cold, I almost decided to take the day off.....! I finally seemed to get the hang of my circuits today and so after a couple of nice landings my instructor Dave said, "well I think I'll get out now". And he did just that after he gave me a couple of instructions. I wasn't entirely sure I'd be able to hold the controls steady since I was so excited. It was a rather odd feeling lifting off the ground without his 200lbs in the other seat and the machine hung low on my side as I'd been warned. I thought I managed to sound quite professional and not at all nervous when I asked the tower for a left hand circuit. Maybe I'm a better actress than I thought. I managed to take off, circuit, approach and hover without incident. 3 times! On the last one I had to hold nice and still while Dave (foolishly?) put his life into my hands and walked under the rotor disc to get a nice shot of me in the air all by myself on my first solo flight ever. I even managed to avoid decapitating him, which I am sure his wife and children are pleased about. As am I as I still have plenty to learn from him in the next 75 hours of flying.

I hope you are all well. Wishing all Canadians an Happy early Thanksgiving.....I'll be heading to the Lakehouse in about a week for that to meet up with the parent people, Auntie Mary, Uncle Peter, Jeremy y Tepita. And Kenai of course. We can never forget her.

All the best and happy hovering.

Blue

2007-09-26T22:53:00.001-07:00

Abbotsford, BC

So I'm about 3 weeks into my commercial helicopter course......things have been up and down lately. And yes I know that is a pun, but I didn't mean it. Not really anyway. I have been having an overdose of circuits. I'm not complaining by any means - circuits is better than sitting on the ground and looking up. Sometimes they are perfect....well close to perfect. And then other times - like at one point today - we're bombing towards an active runway 100 feet in the air at 40 knots and I'm wondering why I'm not in a lovely stable hover chest height above the ground, especially when my instructor Dave is nervously glancing back and forth between me and the Westjet on final approach. Ok I exaggerate, there was no Westjet that time, but I may not always have so much leeway. I suppose that's why I'm still a 20+hour student and not a full blown licenced pilot. Phew. I hear the world breathe a sigh of relief.

I had a foray into Vancouver this weekend for an ecletic mix of partying and hiking. I think the "Blue Party" was wilder! And sweatier! Ick. But it was a gorgeous day for hike near Mount Seymour. I needed a battery recharge and a change of scenery. I really haven't given Abbotsford much of a chance. I live right next to the airport which is great as I can ride my bike to school in about 5 minutes, but I haven't had much chance to explore. I think it is the farmland fumes that dampen my affection. I have found some quieter roads to run along as well, though I was accosted by a friendly lab on the last one that then kept trying to get itself run over as it trotted alongside me. I realized tonight that I need to take myself on walks before bed like I used to do in the Okanagan with Kenai and Dad. It will help me get to a space where I can think and really relax.

11.5 hours

2007-09-16T16:57:00.000-07:00

Abbotsford, BC

I've been here almost 2 weeks and haven't regretting deciding to do this at all. It's a lot of money so it's good that I don't have regrets! I've now had 11.5hours up in the air (with a little less than 90 to go). I seems eons ago that I was first starting. The learning curve is steep - which is the way I like it.
I can now do turns, climbs, descents and have managed to hover, take-off and land. It's not always pretty but I'm getting there! It was so scary to go and work through the checklist and switch on the machine after doing my own walk-around, all by myself!
I can also tell you that my first take off was an unbelievable experience. So exhilarating. I felt like doing a little jig but instead I had to manage all the controls. For those who don't know it can be a challenging prospect...cyclic in your right hand, collective and throttle in your left hand and the pedals at your feet. I am enjoying the challenge immensely.
I've now had a chance to settle down a little. Different high time pilots keep passing through the house here as they get their Canadian conversion so there're plenty of interesting conversations over dinner. I have discovered the local night life a little lately with some of the boys...and I went on a (wet and muddy, but therapeutic) hike today. Wonderful to get out and feel rejuvenated.
I thought a few photos would go over well. A shot of another student and my instructor in our Bell 47 (Call sign FKGU) & the view of Mt Baker from Chinook Helicopters. It's often foggy in the morning but fine and clear like this in the afternoons.

Started flight school

2007-09-05T20:47:00.000-07:00

The Giesbrecht Home

Abbotsford, BC, Canada

A quick note to let you all know that I've settled in just fine here in Abbotsford and have started my helicopter flight training. I think it is official-I am a dork. So far I like ground school. We've got a character teaching it - an ex military jet pilot who started his flying career in 1948. I suppose one might think that most heli pilots are 'characters'....

There are many many students. Possibly too many as it is quite crowed at the school but it is interesting and there is someone always around to chat and compare notes with. A diverse lot. Some look positively prepubescent, and others have children my age. Tables have been rearranged to accommodate everyone but there could be more coming!

I get along well with my flight instructor. He's got many years instruction behind him and has quite the sense of humour. I went for my first flight today since the intro one a fortnight ago. Keeping it simple but in charge of all the controls at certain points. Focusing on keeping the right attitude for straight and level cruise flight and turns. Tomorrow I'll get to do some climbs an descents!

I have made it onto the school's website already with the photo here from my intro flight! I suppose Chinook at Chinook Helicopters is a novelty for them as well.

Chinook Helicopters

2007-08-24T00:08:00.000-07:00

Well I’ve been off the Legend of the Seas for over a month now and I’ve come to a conclusion. Retirement suits me. Too bad I’ve got another 30 years till I get to do it, give or take. I made way back to British Columbia this time, instead of Africa. Since being home I’ve had a chance to wander around the Northwest a bit: Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, the Okanagan and the Kootneys. And I’ve had a wonderful chance to catch up with friends (mostly from Uganda time and some from Princeton), aunts, uncles, cousins (various times removed), brothers, sisters-in-law, a niece, an honorary nephew, my parents and Kenai the Lab, which helps me not pine so completely for the dark continent.
I’ve spent the majority of my time with my parents and Kenai at the Lakehouse. For the curious (and the travelers), it is based about 20 kilometres from the Kelowna bridge on the quiet, west side of the lake towards Vernon. The house perches in the middle of our 1.7 acres down a private road. The lake is a hundred feet below down a staircase trail. The renters before probably had never heard of a green thumb and when we arrived there were brambles and weeds everywhere. Apparently they never took our trail down to the beach! So we’ve been busy unpacking and gardening and trying to set up all the random things you need to do when you return to a country 19 years after you left it….. My main chore seems to be swimming with the dog, and I do it with relish. I suppose these somewhat ordinary adventures are not the usual fare I write you….I probably wouldn’t be writing except that while I’ve been pottering around I’ve made a fairly significant life decision and thought it was time to update everyone.
I have decided not to go back to manage the youth programs on the Grandeur of the Seas with Royal Caribbean in a few days as I was supposed to (sorry for anyone who was looking forward to cruising with me for 10 bucks a day) and have decided to remain in BC at least until Christmas. After much research and several visits to schools, I’ve decided to get my commercial helicopter license at Chinook helicopters. I know, I know. How quaint to find a place with my name. In fact, I avoided it for a while for that very reason—I can be cheesy for sure, but even I thought that was too cheesy.
For those of you who didn’t know, being a helicopter pilot is something I’ve been seriously considering and pursuing for the past 2 years. I kept quiet about it for a long while because I wanted to make sure it wasn’t just some fantasy that I was toying with. I’m even in the process of applying to be a pilot with the Canadian Forces, but that trail is fading for several personal reasons and because they like to take their sweet time (1.5 years since I started my application!). Becoming a commercial heli pilot is an extremely expensive process and jobs are tough to get in the beginning, so I won’t be surprised if I don’t get a flying job for at least a year after I complete my 100-hour course, but once I do get some experience there are so many possibilities, which makes it so exciting.
I had my first training flight with an instructor the other day (in a Bell 47) and it was incredible. I got to take full control of the helicopter every once in a while after a few baby steps, even practicing a hover and an autorotation (the heli’s answer to a glide). I’ve had the fortune of doing a lot of exhilarating things in my life, and this is certainly one of them. I had a perma-smile for the whole flight…my cheeks hurt! I start the 4-month long course when I move to Abbotsford on September 4th. I’ll be staying in a house with a retired couple in a house right next the airport. I can walk to school or ride my bike. I’m keeping costs as low as possible as each hour of flying time is CAN$475….so no car for me.

A postscript
In my brief time here at home, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, reminiscing and dreaming lately for a variety of reasons:
I finally relieved my brother of the boxes upon boxes of things he’d stored for me since I graduated from University—memories from 5-9 years rushed back.
My future looms and I never felt so old but I certainly don’t feel grown up!

I received sad news as soon as I left the ship about the tragic death of my high school friend and one-time sweetheart Jon Hassall. A wonderful, talented, musical, kind-hearted boy when I knew him best. He is missed, I know. His hands always amazed me…it seemed as if he pick up any instrument at all and make it sing. It always made me terribly jealous as I couldn’t even clap to a beat, and desperately hoped that he and his extraordinarily musical family wouldn’t notice the way I butchered the tambourine all those years ago. He never seemed to mind. Beautiful and non-judgemental—a true friend. If there’s one thing that I will never forget, it is Jon’s hands. Rest in peace my friend.

European Legend

2007-07-03T00:11:00.000-07:00

Somewhere between Santorini and Athens
Mediterranean
Legend of the Seas

I’ve been faced with a large variety of challenges at work, as well adjusting to the usual steep learning curve that comes with a promotion. I have been extremely fortunate to have amazing ports to disappear in when I do get a chance to escape from the ship.
I’ve had adventures all over the Med lately. I’ve been chalking up the destinations. Revisiting some places that I haven’t been since the days when I regularly wore fluorescent tank tops and bike shorts. Age 10. And a load of new places. I will highlight the top adventures. Venice. Egypt. Santorini.
Venice. Any cruise ship crewmember loves an overnight. Being on land at night is practically magical. Not that we don’t love the ocean. Well, I love the ocean. But you miss things that are rare. So the overnight in Venice that we had a couple of weeks ago was much anticipated. It all began very well. And even after midnight and a few beverages, I was having a blast. A bunch of silly boys—my boss the cruise director, the ship’s doctor and a couple of art auctioneers—somehow convinced me to march across town to visit a rather suspect club of the gentlemen’s variety. We then wandered the parties of Venice until dawn. I even recall having some interesting conversations with Italian police officers in French in the early morning downpour. But one by one, the silly boys began to disappear until I was left on a random island all by myself with the illusion that I was only blocks away from the ship. I was sorely mistaken and later had bruises to prove it. Apparently my request for the Legend of the Seas was translated into ‘dodgy dockyards’, which of course I didn’t realize until far too late. So I tramped around this island in high heels (note to self: never trust a friend who tells you that you look cute in heels and that it would be a good idea to wear them in an old cobblestone-y city!) for a few hours, scaling wire fences, slipping on docks, avoiding barbed wire, practically falling into the canal twice, and contemplating boat-theft. I eventually made it back to the ship 14 hours after I’d gotten off.
Egypt. I don’t need to tell you all the typically touristy things. I saw the pyramids of Giza and the great sphinx, and even bought some real papyrus and it was amazing especially as I always thought I was the reincarnation of Cleopatra when I was 10. But the part that got me all choked up was when I got to cruise on the Nile for lunch. Good Arabic food and a belly dancer. But here I finally was at the other end of the river that is so close to my heart. And even though everyone though I was crazy, I dipped a toe in it when I got off the boat. I can’t really describe my feelings. Those of you who know me well or have been to Uganda may understand. So many memories went into this river: tears, love, laughs, snot, flips, bruises, mambas, ashes. It was this and perhaps the fact that I have no idea now when I will return to Uganda or Africa (with my parents leaving Malawi this year, I’ve lost my home base on the dark continent), that is making my heartache for the Nile.
Santorini. My visit was lovely though nothing so out of the ordinary. What is special is that I did this all today. A friend and I scored a free passage on a fantastic tour which had us, hiking up a volcano and then swimming in hot springs. Jumping off the boat like I did as a kid tagging along on those dhow diving trips was invigorating. I smeared mud all over my face, arms, chest and belly. It allegedly makes you look 10 years younger….not so sure about that, but I certainly appeared 10 or 20 years younger to those around me when I was doing it! This time I took the cable car up to Thema (last time I was a keener and hiked up the donkey trail) for a brilliant Greek lunch and browsing before hiking down and tendering home.

Also: I cut off a whole lot of my hair! The last time it was this short, I was a baby! And yes, I have kept the super-long ponytail (all 15 inches of it) and plan to donate it when I get back to Canada.

Bottle-caps & Butterfly Wings

2007-06-06T23:26:00.000-07:00

And on the mornings after the blissful nights when you were actually able to fall asleep and were free of dreams or even dreamt of sweet, simple things. On those mornings you awaken and all seems right in the world until all too soon the memory of why you have those hollows where healthy flesh used to be comes rushing back like a sudden wind through your forest of trees. A chunk has been ripped out of your heart. And you ask yourself that surely losing a chunk so large would be enough to kill you. But it doesn’t—the human body is so resilient—and you keep on living. Some days you wake up and the hole doesn’t seem as huge as it once was. Occasionally you just continue naively on, not questioning the small blessings in life. But other times you are not so quick to allow yourself reprieve. These mornings you turn the microscope inward and force yourself to search your heart. Those days you find the hole stuffed with all sorts of things. Things that surely should not help compose your heart. Thoughtful words and parts of candy bar wrappers. Blades of freshly mown grass and pages out of dusty first editions. Exoskeletons of cicadas and barnacles off bleached and weatherworn dock buoys. All manner of materials that have been healing into hearts for generations. But they do not seem right or worthy of the memory of your loss so you pick them out one by one. The fresh bleeding that ensues seems cathartic and just to you in your righteous mind. And it is only when you stop staring into your heart that fresh grass blows in to staunch the painful flow. It joins the other blades that had already healed over by the time you first thought to look deep inside yourself. Bottle-caps and wings of butterflies help to fill the void, until they too are ripped free during one of your cleansings, or are eventually left alone as you find other things to occupy your days that are not so punishing. Obliviously you move on. You may wash back to your tide of loss because there are still some mornings when you turn over in your bed and you feel a pit inside. You may not even recall how it got there. Eventually when you look inside, you won’t be able to see anything but tissue the colour of garnet and the faint outline of a cicada.

A new challenge on another ship

2007-05-06T13:09:00.000-07:00

Freedom of the Seas, Miami

There has been a whirlwind in my life recently. It started with a wrenching phone call and is resulting in an epic plane ride to Venice in a couple days. Well it probably won’t end then (let’s hope!) but it does make it sound dramatic.
I got offered a promotion a little over a week ago with Royal Caribbean and have opted to do it. So, I’m heading to the Legend of the Seas as the head of the children and youth programs onboard. It’s pretty exciting for me in terms of the new challenge of the position and the ports that I’ll get to see during the 2 months I have there. Venice, Rome, Florence, Croatia, Cyprus, Alexandria, Mykonos, Athens and Naples to name a few.

It will be hard to leave my friends here on the Freedom and I love my job as the teen specialist but I have been ready for this kind of challenge since I began working for the cruise line. It is also a disappointment that I won’t be making it to my 5th year Princeton reunion….especially as I was supposed to be giving a talk for Outdoor Action. Perhaps next year.

Mom cruised last week…she capped off a long lady-of-leisure tour of England and the US with me onboard the Freedom. I was worried that she’d be bored when I was at work but she seemed to enjoy herself. I made her scooter all around Cozumel: awesome quesadillas for us and midday skinney-dippying for me; we hung out at my secret cove in Cayman; drank at Margaritaville in Montego Bay, Jamaica; chilled by the waterfront in Miami.
I’m sure I’ll have news from you from the Mediterranean soon….though I may be quite busy there….I hope you all aren’t upset that I didn’t let you know about this major move sooner, but I hope you realize how busy it’s been for me lately.

Freedom Baby

2007-03-26T12:53:00.000-07:00

Youth Staff
Freedom of the Seas
PO Box 019750
Miami, FL 33101-9750
USA

Greetings from the Caribbean. Yes I’m back on a ship—who would’ve thought. It’s actually pretty good: saving some cash, working my favourite job as the Teen Specialist, meeting some neat people, keeping my roots loose….
I’ve been busy since I got on board. With work and fun. It’s spring break season so there’s anywhere from 500-700 teens onboard each cruise, so that keeps it interesting! Right now we do the same run each week. Miami on Sunday, At Sea Monday, Cozumel Tuesday, Grand Cayman Wednesday, Montego Bay Thursday, Labadee (Royal Caribbean Private Island on Haiti) Friday, At Sea Sunday.

And of course I’ve had a few little adventures here and there. Recently I went river tubing in Jamaica with a colleague (and this time the authorities found no reason to randomly attempt to arrest us…phew)—we had some fun with the rum punch and a rope swing—the guides were rather impressed with my swinging full backflip. Not as impressed as I was that I actually pulled it off! Another colleague and I discovered a little secret cove of the main strip in Cayman…it’s awesome for sunbathing and swimming and the other day I was out with my goggles moseying around and happened upon the biggest barracuda I’ve ever seen. That thing was as big as me. I got out of the water pretty quickly after the tables turned and it was swimming after me, instead of the other way around.
I’ve also been working on a few new skills. There’s a flowrider onboard so you can boogie-board or surf, and I get a chance to fool around on that every once in a while. It’s not pretty but it’s a rush. What I am good at is stilt-walking. That’s right—for the first time in my life, I am tall. About 9 feet tall, give or take, to be precise. It’s awesome. I picked it up really fast and I walk in parades twice a week. For the first one, I’m a gorgeous 6 armed Thai goddess, and in the second I’m a glamorous clown. Extreme engineering from the Discovery Channel is onboard doing some filming so if you see a tall chick with 6 arms on TV this summer, it’s probably me.

West Coast Wandering

2007-02-03T12:24:00.000-08:00

At Auntie Mary & Uncle Peter’s
Victoria, BC, Canada

Thanks for all the job ideas and invites, I didn’t realize that I sounded so desperate! Well the gods of employment must have been tuned in because I was offered my ideal ship job the very next day, and I’ve accepted. As much as I would’ve liked to hang out in my homeland and brush up my ‘being Canadian’ skills, there just didn’t seem to be any of my kind of work around here. And the Americans don’t want me either, eh.
So I am heading to the Freedom of the Seas—the big mama of all cruise ships—seriously, ALL. It’s the biggest one in the whole world with all sorts of ridiculous (but tempting) trimmings like a rock-climbing wall, an ice rink, and a flow-rider surf pool. I’ll be the teen specialist there, as I was on the Mariner of the Seas (my last ship that I left last spring). It’s just my style, with lots of time running activities and DJing for the teens. The cruises are out of Miami every Sunday, and I’ll be starting on the 18th of this month. Until then I’ll be doing a little West Coast tour: to Seattle tomorrow to see my brother Jeremy and new bride Tepita. Then down near San Francisco to see Caz and Froggie and then LA to see Liz: I’ll be getting some 83 Spelman dosage (missing you Nins). If you are on my route and want to meet up for a caffeine fix, drop me an email and bear with my ‘fly by the seat of the pants’ vacation.

That’s the future. I’ve been zooming around a bit lately as well. There was a Right to Play Uganda reunion in Nelson BC: Blanca and I did an epic 9 hour road-trip to see Crystal and her son Elwyn. He is a brilliant cutie, and seems much wiser than his 3 years. It may have something to do with his enormous noggin that he inherited from his gorgeous mama. It was a fabulous girly long weekend with hikes, skiing, pubbing, hotsprings and chatting for entertainment. I did another day of skiing since my 19 year intermission. This time I actually had a lesson and figured out how to use those pole-thingys, among other things. So of course the first thing that I did after I ‘graduated’ was collide with snowboarding Blanca. It was cartoon-esque. But maybe I can just say that because neither of us got hurt. My skis must’ve gone under her board because the next thing I knew, I was hurtling through the air at mach speed and my skis were left completely stationary in the powder behind me. It was only about 50 meters downhill that I gathered my wits and tried to stop sliding down the slope. Blanca was doing her best penguin-with-a-snowboard impression a further 50 meters below. Crystal had a great view of the aftermath. For the rest of the day I kept a fair bit of distance between me and my stunt partner. I recovered just fine, but I did realise putting on skis on steep slopes isn’t as easy as you might originally think—thankfully I only had to do that once and even managed a few little jumps off the main trails.
I have since managed to have a few visits with old ship friends in Vancouver; cousins, 2nd cousins and a Rwandese friend - John Nsabimana - from my Ugandan Refugee Settlement here in Victoria. It has been wonderful to reconnect with people after so much time apart—and thanks for all the comfy beds and couches and floors! One day. One day. One day perhaps I’ll have a place of my own so I can begin my hospitality repayment. Just don’t hold your breath.

Take care and best wishes from beautiful BC.

A handful of beans

Toast to 2011

BC Family Time

On Shaw TV - Kelowna

Forest Fire Flyin' and other fun

Back in Canada

After 4 months in Fiji...

Fiji Days

Fiji experience begins

Northern Summer

Mountains in the Moonlight

Just putting it out there in the world

Home

Vanuatu = My New Home

To South Pacific Shores

Sibling Rivalry

Beauty

The Winding Road - Part II

The Winding Road - Part I

Lakehouse not charred

Evacuated

Evacuation Alert

Hot and High

Back at Cline River

In the Air - Again

Top 3 Topics of Conversation in my Cab

I miss

I know

Cab driving, Gold Coast and Sailing

Vila O.B.E.

When it rains in Wala

Champagne at Champagne Bay ...

Dravuni Island - Fiji

To Southern Skies

The World's First...

Rocky Mountain Tableau

Gin Rock

Rings and Things

Who needs sleep in Seattle

Been a while

The air up there

Pro Pilot at last ....?

True Teddy Bear Picnic

Teddy Bear Picnic

PPC Complete!

PPC Prep

Meme

Icicles

Things to do when one is ill

Turbine Time

Save lives

Funds needed for new fields for the Princeton University Rugby teams.

Jack-in-the-box Dog

Camp Mewata Loop

Ground Hog & Tour Pilot

The Owl and the Bobcat

Oh Captain, my Captain

On the Hunt

Wings

New Year Splash

Princeton-in-Africa Photography Book

Flying in the New Year

Karma

Snow falling on CYXX

64.2 hours

Ducks and Trees

Poster Girl

Turkey a la Canuck

1st Solo

Blue

11.5 hours

Started flight school

Chinook Helicopters

European Legend

Bottle-caps & Butterfly Wings

A new challenge on another ship

Freedom Baby

West Coast Wandering