Shirley Sheep, Heinävesi, Finland

drakie Posted Jul 6, 2007, 9:06 pm	well I am sorry folks but my computer at home is changing server and this will take over 2 weeks, 2 weeks without a computer I cannot cope... help...  but my picture will be downloaded as soon as I can. Well my name is Shirley Sheep and I will soon be going to the Netherlands with Tess, I am so excited, Purple Bun has just left for Jerusalem.... how exciting... I will be the last to leave and Eddy Bear has just arrived home. Not sure of all my travel plans but will add to the site as soon as I know.  My picture will be added as soon as the computer allows.
Tess Posted Jul 22, 2007, 10:01 pm	Yesterday Shirley Sheep arrived from the UK. She had been in the mailbox, cause we all where traveling to Assen to see Baby Alex Dad and prepare Wendy's birthday. But Shirley has a party to attend today because. Today was a real great event.Zahli Zebra from Australia is staying in the Netherlands  AND found the love of her life a red gentle Zebra. His name is Yentl. Today  Sunday July 22  2007 ,they got married and Zahli was dressed  like a real bride...in a light blue wedding dress .She and Yentl exchanged earrings with one another and promised stay together for better and for worse. Their  wedding vows and a official certificate will be in Zahli's logbook (travelbook) SHIRLEY loves weddings and was proud being a brides-sheep..and a guest of honor (with Sabrina-Doll)...cause she  is very elegant!! She has also befriended one of the monsters of the house ...a soft gentle black and white dog. Look at her pictures and see for yourself....
Tess Posted Jul 22, 2007, 10:03 pm	SHIRLEY       On top of A monster
Tess Posted Jul 31, 2007, 8:27 pm	Shirley Sheep..would like to share about her day today. We had fun today...since it still is raining cats and dogs (not ours!!) we stayed inside the house for most of the time. But after awhile the weather seemed to be better and Tess decided Shirley could come with her and one of the dogs..to explore the neighborhood.(we took a raincoat ..and an umbrella just in case !!) Sadly enough Tess'hubby was away for the day, on his own adventures and he had taken the camera with him.! We saw some silly geese that could swim where normally the sheep stay in a meadow near the house. But due to the bad weather it's like a pool so these geese used it for teaching purposes & practice swimming lessons for the young ones.They were not so friendly to the dog though., but  I (Shirley) could hide in the hood of the raincoat. We came by several tiny frogs ...and I had fun ~(giggle)~  cause the dog jumps...every time she notices a little frog cross her path. Some great protector of predators... huh? The other dog  is called Sparky , he is an old Jack Russell (age almost 14 years.) His likes to walk but not too far and not when it is  raining and very wet.!! And he snores at night AND during the day!!!!!!!!!!! Shirley had a long chat with some toys that are staying here permanently. A family of Teddy-Bears, some 50 years old dolls, and a very friendly Turtle that is doing lots of  games & coloring stuff side by side with a Lady -Bug. Of course whenever the Turtle is finished his project in drawing ...Shirley is long gone to another adventure BUT she appreciated his offer to draw her a painting of some kind. I also took some fashion -classes and that picture will be uploaded maybe tomorrow. Bed Time bed ...Behhh...goodnight...and Oan't moarn ( in Frisian =  see you tomorrow)[/color]
Tess Posted Aug 17, 2007, 3:51 pm	Shirley has had busy days recently. Not only accompanies she her host in the car driving around this nice province ..or country but she also met new voyagers recently. One of them is Blaze and another (private toy-voyager one is Teran from the USA) Some pictures of this special arrival Afterwards they had all a long chatr in bed to discus  adventures from their new friends.One has to go and two arrived ..
Tess Posted Aug 17, 2007, 3:58 pm	We DID have a farewell and goodbye party for Cool Jules who is very excited to leave for Malaysia, and Blaze and Teran who celebrated their arrival. We had some drinks, only because we just had dinner and had all  of our bellies very full Shirley and Jules {{hugged}} on another and posed under the Dutch and Frisian flag[color=red].[/color]
Tess Posted Aug 17, 2007, 4:03 pm	One of the cats (Joey) in this home is a very fine gentleman who did not mind posing with Blaze and Shirley at all. AND ...he is not a mouse killer..Our Vince and Vinnie are living proof of that !!
fam-united Posted Oct 10, 2007, 9:05 pm	Hi, Sylvia! I'm here in Germany now. It's just a short stop over before I travel to Australia. So I will not see many places here, but Sabrina is very happy, that I'm here right now. She says I'm so soft and she likes that
fam-united Posted Oct 10, 2007, 9:10 pm	Today it is National Holiday of Germany and most people don't go to work on that day. There are some celebrations, that you can watch in tv (television, not in a toyvoyager ). But the people in Germany don't really celebrate on that day. Petra and her family decided to go shopping in the Alsace, which is in France. So you see Sabrina and me with the other toyvoyagers in the car on our way to the border to France.
fam-united Posted Oct 14, 2007, 4:25 pm	In Lauterburg my hosts had lunch. We were in a restaurant, where you only could order pancakes or crepes to eat and of course something to drink.
fam-united Posted Oct 14, 2007, 4:28 pm	Then we drove to Weissenburg (Wissembourg), because we wanted to see the old part of that city, but it was so crowded, that we headed home again. Unhappily the photo with me in Weissenburg wasn't fine, so we only have this photo of our drive to that city. Not far away from Weissenburg we found this chapel. I think, it was very interesting. Of course it was a little crowded by us toyvoyagers, but we tried to keep silent.
fam-united Posted Oct 14, 2007, 4:29 pm	The German Winegate is a building of the worst time in German history. It was built in 1936 officially to make the wineyards of the Palatinate more famous. Of course it was also a provocation against France, because the border is very close (only 1km to Wissembourg). The gate is the end point of the Palatinate Wine Route. (I can't put this online without telling, that I'm so sorry for everything that happened during these years.)
fam-united Posted Oct 14, 2007, 4:30 pm	I only saw this church, when we drove through Karlsruhe, but I heard, that there is a nice palace too.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 9:46 pm	Today we visited Maulbronn, where is a famous monastery. It is Unesco World Heritage. I thought, that it looks like a little town in the city Maulbronn.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 9:48 pm	Today I helped Petra to bake cakes for Fabian's 17th birthday, which we will celebrate tomorrow. This cake is called Hannchen Jensen or Hansen Jensen cake.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 9:50 pm	Today we were on a little sightseeing tour. Here you see me in Huttenheim with a nice church in the background.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 9:54 pm	Then we drove to the Rhine, which is the one of the longest and most important rivers in Europe at 1320 kilometres (820 miles)
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 9:56 pm	On our way to the Rhine we saw this two towers. It's the nuclear power station of Philippsburg, which was built in the 70th, the power-down is planned in 2011 and 2017, so still some years to go.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 9:59 pm	Here we are on the way to Untergrombach. On this photo you see rape, then asparagus and of course the beautiful trees. Here is a view to Untergrombach with the Michaelsberg. Untergrombach is one of the suburbs of Bruchsal. We drove to the top of the Michaelsberg, where I saw a nice chapel. We wanted to take a little rest in front of the chapel The weather was beautiful, but you see the fog coming up now. On the photo you see Untergrombach and the quarry pond of Untergrombach. You find many beautiful views on the Michaelsberg and this is another one.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 10:01 pm	It's Halloween! It's a little sad, that Petra and her family don't really celebrate this, but she likes to decorate the house with autumn stuff. Do you like it too? I think, it looks great. We toyvoyager friends climbed on the lights, but I'm not sure, whether you find us here. This window is in the kitchen of our hosts. We had some fun here and it helped us a lot. We weren't too sad anymore, that we are no monkeys. Of course we thought of those toyvoyagers, who are in Oregon right now.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 10:03 pm	We visited a very interesting place today. It is called Siegfriedsbrunnen (fountain). In the forest of Odes (Odenwald) four fountains are named as place, where Siegfried was murdered by Hagen von Tronje. We saw one of this fountains. There is a famous song about the Nibelungs. When I turned around I saw these beautiful trees.
fam-united Posted Nov 1, 2007, 10:05 pm	Then we drove to the Pfannwaldsee, a lake. We decided to walk around the lake and we got really cold feet.
fam-united Posted Nov 3, 2007, 5:28 pm	Good bye, Shirley Sheep!  We hope, you will arrive in Australia very soon. Living in such a small box isn't that great. Bye, Petra and family
fam-united Posted Nov 4, 2007, 11:42 am	Here I am in front of the rent house of my hosts. You also see their car and garage.
fam-united Posted Nov 4, 2007, 11:43 am	Today we drove to the Black Forest. Fabian, my hosts one son, was invited to stay there for the next two nights. So we all decided to bring him there.
fam-united Posted Nov 4, 2007, 11:44 am	We visited the Vogtsbauernhof in Gutach, which is an Open Air Museum. Here is what we read in a folder: Where the magnificently preserved Vogtsbauernhof farmstead once stood alone in the open fields, it is now joined by numerous historical buildings from various regions of the Black Forest to breathe life into times of long ago. Six fully furnished farmhouses, the day labourer's cottage and 15 outbuildings, such as mills, sawmills, barns, stalls, a chapel, storehouses and granny house (Leibgedinghaus), invite to take a stroll and discover the multifaceted aspects of the Black Forest way of life. First of all we had lunch and Petra ate sheep's cheese. I thought, it's ok. Then we walked from house to house.
crizle crizle@westnet.com.au Posted Nov 18, 2007, 2:01 am	I arrived this week in Australia and I was so happy to get out of my travel box. What a surprise I had to find my mate Cool Jules waiting here to greet me. Today we both went to the park and the native Animal Reserve. We found no sheep, but it was still fun.
crizle crizle@westnet.com.au Posted Nov 26, 2007, 12:17 am	I have been having such fun with the other Toy Voyagers. Fred Abear arrived to join us. it was a rainy weekend so we drove up the range to Toowoomba and visited the park, visitors centre, childrens play area and Picnic Point Lookout. We found a little bronze dog statue but NO sheep. Probably a good thing because I got all that yummy green grass to myself. We had a postcrossing party and wrote cards to our Mum's, that was fun.
drakie Posted Dec 13, 2007, 7:52 pm	I arrived here and my mum decided to update so she can follow the map.  Thank you for the lovely postcard it arrived safely
crizle crizle@westnet.com.au Posted Jan 18, 2008, 2:51 am	What a great time I have been having. Just before Christmas I went to Brisbane and visited the big Christmas tree and went on a boat at last. Just a little boat, the ferry that crosses the Brisbane River. Alot of fun.
crizle crizle@westnet.com.au Posted Jan 18, 2008, 3:00 am	Christmas time and I am a very busy sheep helping to decorate the tree. Roo arrived in time for Christmas so there were four of us here. Christmas day was lots of fun too and I played with Cool Jules,Fred Abear and Roo as well as some of the bears who live here. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008 to everyone. I celebrated till midnight with my friends.
rdafan Posted Feb 14, 2008, 8:34 pm	I arrived at Janine's and she introduced meto her cat, Wicket. He gave me a big smooch to welcome me. We went into Auckland City and saw the Sky Tower. This is the tallest building in NZ. I'm looking forward to seeing some new things soon.
crizle crizle@westnet.com.au Posted Feb 18, 2008, 8:14 pm	Shirley had a great time at crizle's birthday party with new bear Lavender. The it was time for a group hug with the other voyagers and time to fly to New Zealand. Bye Shirley Sheep we have had a wonderful time together.
rdafan Posted Feb 22, 2008, 4:06 am	Here is the pics of me and Wicket and the Sky Tower.
rdafan Posted Mar 25, 2008, 2:16 am	Hi all, very soon Janine is sending me on to my next host but in the meantime I have been travelling NZ with Janine. We went to lots of places, Whangarei, Gisborne, Rotorua, and Wellington. Hopefully the pics will show. This is me and Wicket. This is me with Lake Taupo in the background. A volcanic cater lake in the middle of the North Island.
drakie Posted Apr 30, 2008, 9:47 pm	She is on her way home before she travels afar again
drakie Posted May 3, 2008, 7:08 pm	I arrived home from new zealand.... oh how happy to be home, I met other tv`s just about to travel to the Dominican Republic but I cannot go as there is no room....  baaaaa I met Count, Mocke and Chocolate so we had fun, they were trying to help my mummy pack her case, but they kept trying on her clothes so it took a long time... I will see them when they come back before I leave again.
drakie Posted May 21, 2008, 8:14 pm	I am back home and rested and now on my way again :  my travel plans are as follows: Wmphimu      USA          posted  22 May 2008 JaymeC          Japan      Moshue          India Shirleycr        Costa Rica Magicwoman    Netherlands
wmphimu Posted Jun 3, 2008, 11:00 pm	Hello from Virginia! I arrived today to much fanfare...there was a whole committee of Toy Voyagers here to greet me! I am tired from the trip, but I am so excited to be here!
wmphimu Posted Jun 7, 2008, 10:26 pm	What an amazing morning we had! Today was the National Race for the Cure, a huge 5K race to raise money for breast cancer research. There were 50,000 people (and four toy voyagers) that walked and ran in the race today! (and Mara says that there are usually more, but the crazy heat kept a lot of people at home) First, we had to get ready. I skipped the sunblock, but Snuggles helped me to pin my race number on... Then it was time for the race. It was hard to take pictures because of how many people were there and the weather (it was really hot, and the morning started really foggy), but here I am on the race course... The women in pink t-shirts are cancer survivors! And here I am at the finish line! (the building in the background is the one of the Smithsonian museums - The National Museum of the American Indian) We were really proud of our race - here we all are on a bench afterwards... ...and here we are catching a moment of shade under a plant near the Smithsonian Castle! Of course, before we got back in the car, I stopped for a picture in front of the Smithsonian Castle!
wmphimu Posted Jun 12, 2008, 2:42 am	We had a fun day today! When Mara got home from work she told us that a package arrived! First, we tore off the tape... And then out popped Muumipeikko! But there was still noises in the traveling case... It's Mausi! But there was one more surprise... HitchaRideMo! Here we all are - We told them all how hot it has been here in Virginia - over 100 degrees each day - so we have been keeping cool inside in the air conditioning. It's really hard for me since I have a built-in wool coat! But it is finally starting to cool off a bit, so we will go on an outing with everyone soon!
wmphimu Posted Jun 16, 2008, 6:18 pm	I had a fun day yesterday! It was Father's Day, so we went to Mara's parents' house to celebrate. First, I helped her dad with the grill (can you see me? It was very sunny...)... Then, I relaxed under the shade of the umbrella... While we were waiting for lunch to cook, we all played hide-and-go-seek in her parents' yard. Can you find me in my hiding place? And here we are afterwards relaxing on the front porch! After we celebrated Fathers Day, we went with Mara and her husband to play softball. They couldn't take pictures during the game (since they were playing!), but here I am at the field!
wmphimu Posted Jun 23, 2008, 3:13 am	I had such a fun weekend! I hopped into Mara's backpack with the other toy voyagers and we all went to a scrapbooking convention! Here I am at the entrance... We started with some shopping. Here I am looking around at all the booths to shop at! Then it was time to take some classes. We looked at the class schedule and decided which ones we wanted to take. Here I am making a summer album: And here I am working on a layout! What a fun weekend!
wmphimu Posted Jun 30, 2008, 6:44 pm	We had a busy weekend here! Even though it was really hot, we all went to the Nationals-Orioles game! Here I am in our seats, watching the baseball game: And here I am in front of the scoreboard, which Mara said has one of the biggest HD screens in any stadium!
wmphimu Posted Jul 4, 2008, 8:58 pm	I've had a great trip here in Virginia, but I'm moving on! I bid a fond farewell to my new friends, and I headed off for my next adventure!
JaymeC Posted Jul 11, 2008, 11:49 am	I sat in the mailbox for a few hours just listening and hoping someone would rescue me! Then I heard the lock clicking nearby and my new host Jayme pulled me out of my envelope. It was so nice to get out again after being in there so long! She told me we didn't have too much time right now and it was a good thing I'd had a nap because we were off to a party! The party was at Torii Beach on Okinawa. I found a lounge chair to catch some rays first Then we played in the sand for a bit Here's the beach from a small pier Whew! It was a tiring today. Jayme says she has lots planned tomorrow so I better get some rest. Write more later! Love, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 12, 2008, 6:50 am	Today we got to go somewhere very fun! It was called Kokusai Dori. Its the most well-known shopping street on Okinawa. It has everything from touristy items to fresh food, and is very long (about 2km) with other streets attached as well! Here I am at the start of the street. I'm sitting next to a Shisa. Shisa are on most of the buildings in Okinawa. Some of them look very serious, and others like these ones further down the street look like they're having fun! Another image you see very often on Okinawa is the Lucky Cat. This is a giant one on one of the stores was beckoning in customers. Here I am on one of the side streets, you can see the many vendors! On our way to the car we saw this very pretty window. Jayme says she thinks its a Phoenix I'll write more soon! Much love, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 13, 2008, 9:26 pm	We've been relaxing around the house the last few days since Jayme's felt a bit under the weather, but we did go out to eat last night (so she didn't have to cook! I offered to, but she said she didn't want me getting burnt). The place we went to had very yummy Japanese food. The only problem was keeping the boys sitting down on the mats long enough to feed them! Here's a photo of me there Hope to write more soon, we're supposed to go shopping today! Love, Shirley Sheep
JaymeC Posted Jul 15, 2008, 2:06 pm	Today we did something exciting, we sent all of these teddy bears in a big box to the teddy bear clinic! Almost makes me want to be a bear... After we were done at the post office we went to the military store on base. Its funny they call it a PX. I wonder who started that? Only military and their family are allowed in, but Jayme snuck me in in her bag! While we were in there we looked for hair things but didn't have any luck. Hmm! We'll have to try another store. But in the mean time Jayme got me some ribbons for my ears. We did those up and then I helped her husband work on this puzzle of Mt. Fuji. That'd be a cool mountain to climb! I'll write more soon! Love, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 16, 2008, 10:49 am	What an exciting day we had! Yesterday we shopped on base, so today we went off base. We got to visit the Farmer's Market to get some fruits and veggies (Jayme says the on base prices have skyrocketed recently!) And then we went to the 100Yen Store! Its a neat store with lots of cheap things inside it. Jayme was looking for pretend cleaning items for the toddlers. We came home and rested and then went to the Nakamura House. Its an home that's hundreds of years old that you can tour. Here I am at the house's well Here's the pig pens, I wonder why there's no sheep pens? The kitchen area The living and sleeping area. And the storage shed Here's a view from outside of the living/sleeping area No trip anywhere on Okinawa is complete without feeding the fishies! There's fish ponds all over the island, each complete with a vending machine selling fish food for 100Yen What a great day! I hope to write more soon! Love, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 21, 2008, 2:33 am	What an exciting day we had! First we had to welcome fellow toyvoyager Hugme! This is Hugme's first stop. Then we had to go to work blowing up balloons and hanging up streamers. It took awhile because we had to be very quiet not to wake up the children who were napping Finally we got it all decorated up! And perfect timing too, the birthday boy woke up just a few minutes later. Happy Birthday Cristiano! And we all got to have some yummy cookie-cake! Write more later, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 22, 2008, 6:05 am	Today it was very hot out so we decided to go somewhere to cool down! About a half hour from Jayme's home is the Kurasaki Dam. Its very popular in the summer time for everyone to come splash around in and her kids like it a lot! Here we are in front of the dam We were standing on some 'stepping stones' (or at least that's how the kids use them!) May daycares bring the children here to play, and they all wear color coded hats to keep the sun off their face and necks. It makes them easier to spot too! Hope to write more soon, Shirley Sheep
JaymeC Posted Jul 25, 2008, 8:02 am	We got a surprise package today! It was Auggie coming for a visit! But he thought he was in the United States. Jayme explained that its not the US, but a military base. Here he is coming out! After Auggie came out, we had to go to the hospital. Jayme's son woke up with a swollen eye and she was worried so we went to go see the doctor. Hugme gave Jacob a hug to make him feel better. The hospital is on Camp Lester. Its the only military hospital on Okinawa! Here's the sign inside. The flag is to show how hot it is today so that people don't go out exercising if its dangerously hot. And here I am outside the hospital. Good news! The doctor said there's no infection and it was either allergies or a bug bite and Jacob would be just fine! That means we get to plan a busy weekend.. Write more soon, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 28, 2008, 9:01 am	Today we went to Comprehensive Park. Its the biggest park on Okinawa! It has everything from walking trails to playgrounds to tennis courts, and even has its own water park! Here's a better photo of the water park, we had to take them from outside the fence since we weren't going in today. Near the water park there's a wall with underwater murals. Here we are next to a fish! There was also a new xylophone to play on on one of the bridges! A part of the walking trail was right next to the water Write more soon, Love, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 28, 2008, 11:48 am	Once we were rested from our walk that morning we went out again. First we stopped by American village to go up in the ferris wheel. Here we are going up! It was beautiful from the top. When we came down I got to ride on the train! And afterwards we went bowling. What a fun day! Write more soon, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 28, 2008, 11:52 am	Today we went to a park on Kadena Air Base. Its has various aircraft that have been retired since the base has opened that you can look at. Do you see us on the wing of this F-100? Here I am in front of an F-104 This is an F-4 And finally an F-15. Jayme's husband wanted us to sit in the engine for the shot since he couldn't reach the wings, but Jayme said she didn't want to have to explain to the police why she was climbing into the engine! Write more soon! Love, Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 29, 2008, 8:28 am	We got to go do something VERY neat today. We went to what's called a "Change of Command" ceremony. We weren't supposed to be there, but Jayme let us peek out of her purse. Its essentially a welcome ceremony for the new General of the Airwing and a goodbye to the old General. Okinawa, Japan is home to the US Marine Corps 1st Marine Airwing (or 1stMAW for short). They bring out all the vehicles for a backdrop for the actual ceremonies. The band leads the way with the ceremonies. Followed by the unit Marine Corps flags Then the Marines finally show up! And the Japanese, USA, and Marine Corps flag. There's my hosts husband representing his unit with their guidon (the smaller flag) Each unit pays their respects as well. Then it got kind of boring as each CO gave a speech Everyone filed back out in reverse order and we were dismissed. Hope to write about more adventures soon! Shirley
JaymeC Posted Jul 30, 2008, 9:48 pm	Today Jayme decided we needed to do something fun with the kids so we went to the zoo! Here we are at the entrance. They had some fun stone animals we could climb on! Then we got to see some real animals! Unfortunately we didn't find any sheep ... maybe somewhere else.. Write more soon, Love Shirley
JaymeC Posted Aug 4, 2008, 11:39 pm	We went to a place called Camp Zanpa. Its a Japanese park that's got a beach and also a walking area along the coastline. They also have a small 'zoo' where you can feed the animals. We found some goats and chickens there, but alas no other sheep! After we said goodbye to the goats we went for a walk. The sun kept playing peekaboo as Jacob says Finally we got up to a high point. Isn't it beautiful? The ocean was so blue! Along the way there were many World War II memorials The big rock behind us got blown up onto the side of the cliff after a really strong typhoon! Wow! Finally I got into my envelope and waved goodbye! I'm off to my next host! Write more when I arrive! Love, Shirley
AbbyB Posted Aug 15, 2008, 4:56 am	Hi mum, I have arrived in Canada! Abby was at work when I arrived, I was rescued out of the mailbox by Abby's parents, who left me on the table until it was time to pick up Abby.  I could feel myself being picked up and placed in the backseat of the car, and a few minutes later I heard, 'Oh, is it for me?  It's Shirley Sheep, I'm sure!' and I was released from my envelope. I was greeted at Abby's house by Yum Yum. I'm very tired from my journey and I believe that it is time to take a nap.
AbbyB Posted Aug 20, 2008, 5:39 am	I went to Abby's school today, Simon Fraser University.  Abby was meeting some friends to run some errands. These flags are right next to the bus loop.  There's one for every province and territory of Canada. This is a new building, the Arts and Social Sciences building, commonly referred to by its acronym, which I won't repeat here... Here is the view from the criminology department in the same building.  On Sundays they do yoga in the courtyards. This is some of the original architecture.  SFU is a relatively new school, only 43 years old and was designed by a local architect, Arthur Erickson, who is well known for using concrete and water features. The area behind me is the Convocation Mall, a large, covered, outdoor area, where graduation ceremonies, protests and student gatherings are held. This is the Academic Quadrangle, where a good number of classrooms are.  The building is a large square, with this open area in the middle.  On the ground is one of those previously mentioned water features, that for some reason, has no water. After the quick tour, it was time for lunch.  Yam rolls, gomae and iced tea, mmmm. We passed the recreational areas. On the track that you can just see, that is where the great Terry Fox, who tried to run across Canada on one real leg, learned to run again on a prosthetic leg. This road is the only one leading to the school, as the school is on a mountain.  In the winter when the road is snowed in or becomes too icy, the entire campus is shut down because it is to dangerous to drive up and down the mountain. After all errands were run, everyone found themselves back at the Criminology department.  One of the professors asked if we would help her with some sorting, and, because we had time to kill before Abby's friend's mom could give us a ride off the mountain, we agreed to help.
AbbyB Posted Aug 21, 2008, 4:36 am	Time for a little sight-seeing in Downtown Vancouver. This building doesn't look particularly impressive, but when it was built it was the tallest building in the British Empire. This building behind me will be the media centre during the 2010 Olympics.  It looks completed, but as you can see in the second picture, it is still under construction. Across the inlet, you can see North Vancouver. This is the float plane dock.  For a fee you can fly to various islands on the coast. Behind me is Stanley Park, the largest park in Vancouver. This is Canada Place.  Underneath the sails are lare large rooms where conventions are held. Here is Vancouver Shipyards.
AbbyB Posted Aug 21, 2008, 4:40 am	This is Waterfront Station, Vancouver's original train station.  It still is a train station, as well as a bus stop, Sky Train station, and Sea Bus station (a foot passenger ferry that travels across the inlet). Down the street is Gastown, essentially the oldest aprt of Vancouver.  Now it is full of tourist shops. This is the Gastown Steamclock, the first clock to ever run on steam power. This is a typical alley in the downtown area, though this is one of the cleaner ones, as it is close to the Downtown East Side, which is known for its homless and drug users.  Behind it, you can see Harbour Centre, which is partially owned by Abby's school; many classes are held there.  The spaceship-looking thing is a revolving restaurant.
AbbyB Posted Aug 21, 2008, 4:44 am	We got on the Sky Train and I thought the tour was over, but Abby had a few more things to show us. This will be the Olympic Village in 2010. The white building behind me is BC Place, where the local professional football (American football) team plays their home games.  The opennig ceremonies of the Olympics will be held there. Behind me is False Creek, which is actually an inlet. This is Science World; it was built for Expo 86.  Most of the dome on the inside is a huge movie screen.  There are many exhibits inside, aimed at teaching people of all ages aobut science. Behind me you can see a Sky Train.  They are automated and run along a track that is elevated on concrete pillars.
AbbyB Posted Aug 23, 2008, 4:53 am	I worked out on Abby's friend's Wii today. First I tried out the Wii Fit.  Apparently my balance is a little off... Then I challenged Yum Yum to some regular sports games.
AbbyB Posted Aug 23, 2008, 5:36 am	I saw Jack Johnson in concert tonight! He was playing at the Thunderbird Stadium on the University of British Columbia campus. Abby and her friend picked up some cool things at the merchandise table.  Rise above plastic! We watched the first opener, Culver City Dub Collective featuring Paula Fuga... Then the second opener, Rogue Wave. Finally it was time for Jack Johnson! After the concert, we joined Abby's parents and waited for the crowd to thin.
AbbyB Posted Aug 24, 2008, 8:17 pm	Today we went to a corn maze!  Here are our tickets, wristbands and map: We didn't use the map at all, because we're so good at mazes.  The object is to go through each maze, find the checkpoints (six in each maze), and punch them out using special punching tools located at each checkpoint.  We did the fish and octopus first (on the right of the map), then the orca and crab. For a better photo of the maze go here and click on the first picture. All ready to go! The rules said no picking the corn, but it didn't say anything about not posing with it. There's a bridge in the middle of the maze and we climbed it to see the view. This is back towards the entrance. This is towards the back of the maze. Look at those mountains. Look, we found a checkpoint! It was dark by the time we finished, but we had time to pose as these two corn people. There was also a petting zoo at the maze, and look!  I met a sheep!  He didn't give me his name, or maybe he did, but I didn't quite understand his dialect.
AbbyB Posted Sep 10, 2008, 7:04 am	Today I went to Bard on the Beach, a local theatre group that performs four Shakespearean plays from June to September every year.  Today we were here to watch The Tempest. Unfortunately photos are not allowed, but I can assure you that it was very good. After the play, we went for a bit of a walk in Vanier Park.
AbbyB Posted Sep 13, 2008, 12:15 am	We went for a walk along False Creek. This totem pole was covered in blackberry bushes, just off the bike path. Then we were at Granville Island!  Granville Island is a Mecca for local artists.  There are art schools and galleries everywhere, as well as buskers on every corner. As you can see, it's not actually an island. We visited a little park first, well known for its turtles. This is the Net Loft, which has various little shops, like a handwoven batik fabric shop and a marble shop. Then we visited the market, which is the reason why people tend to visit Granville Island. This big propellor was just sitting on the side of the street! This is where boats are drydocked for repairs. We passed by the Emily Carr University of Art and Design. As Abby was taking a picture of me, I noticed something silly in one of the windows... On the East side of the island there was this nice view of the end of False Creek.  You can just see Science World and the Olympic village construction. On the way home we got on the SkyTrain at Granville Station, which has one of the steepest escalators in the world.
AbbyB Posted Sep 13, 2008, 12:22 am	Today a new ToyVoyager arrived. In a flurry of empty candy wrappers, Greedy popped out of his envelope and, ignoring Yum Yum and I, started looknig for food.  How rude!
AbbyB Posted Sep 16, 2008, 4:20 am	I am going to tell you a story. Once there was a young man was wasn't very good at sports, but was passionate about them and was so determined to make his school's basketball team that he practiced until he made it.  By the time he graduated high school, he was captain of his team.  He went off to university and made the team there.  One day he felt a pain in his leg, but thought nothing of it.  The pain got worse and worse until he went to see his doctor and he was told that it was cancer and his leg would have to be amputated.  He was given a prosthetic leg and taught himself how to walk again, then run, using the track at his university.  He wanted to make a difference in the lives of cancer patients by raising money to find a cure.  He decided to run across Canada to raise awareness and money, and called his run the Marathon of Hope.  He flew across the country to Newfoundland and dipped his prosthetic foot in the Atlantic, vowing to do the same in BC.  Then, he began his run, running a marathon a day, with his brother and best friend in a van behind him.  People would stand along the road and hand him money, or join in on his run for a few kilometres.  He was awarded medals.  In Thunder Bay, Ontario, he suddenly did not feel well, and one day only managed to run a few kilomtres before he had to stop.  He was rushed to the hospital where he was told that the cancer had spread to his lungs.  He died shortly after at the age of 23, never fulfilling his dream.  That man was Terry Fox, and every year around this time, millions of people donate money and run in his honour.  His old high school was named after him and the Terry Fox Hometown Run is the largest in the world.  He went to Abby's university and learned how to run again on SFU's track, and this statue stands in the centre of the campus to honour him. (Abby says we would have participated in the hometown run itself, but she was sick yesterday and certainly not up for running.  She apologizes.)
AbbyB Posted Sep 16, 2008, 4:24 am	I took the train home from school.
AbbyB Posted Sep 21, 2008, 8:40 pm	Today I helped Abby's family make cabbage rolls.  Abby apologizes fo the quality of the pictures; she was out working (or 'paying for her toyvoyagers habit' as she calls it) and so Erin was taking photos, but she also had to keep a tight hold on Greedy for the duration of the cabbage roll making process. Abby ensured that we would be included before she left for work.  The note says 'We (the I is crossed out) want to help make cabbage rolls!' then Greedy added '(But especially Greedy).' The cabbage rolls are made from meat, rice and beans mashed together and rolled in cabbage that has been boiled to make it easier to wrap. Here, Abby's Mom is demonstrating. Then, the rolls are placed in the oven, or in this case, a special cooker with bacon, tomato sauce and more beans. This is how they look when they are nearly finished.  Yum. This batch was finished just in time for dinner, and we ate them hot out of the oven.
AbbyB Posted Sep 23, 2008, 3:31 am	Today a new TV arrived.  It's Moony!
AbbyB Posted Sep 24, 2008, 6:21 am	A new TV arrived today, Alizée.
AbbyB Posted Sep 26, 2008, 7:12 am	A new ToyVoyager arrived today, Vladimir.
AbbyB Posted Sep 27, 2008, 3:32 am	Abby had a couple packages to pick up at the post office and so she took everyone along.  Out of one of the packages popped Hedgie Hedgehog!
AbbyB Posted Sep 27, 2008, 3:34 am	This is the famous horse clock in Maple Ridge, basically the only interesting thing in the city.  There's a legend that goes with the clock and the horse.  The horse represents a beast that fought for Mother Nature against those who were hurting the environment, but was gravely hurt in the process.  Mother Nature set up the clock as a reminder to not hurt the environment.
AbbyB Posted Oct 3, 2008, 11:49 pm	It's pouring outside, so everyone decided to see what we could do as a group to keep us amused.  Alizée decided to show us some yoga poses.  Greedy opted out and decided to just watch. Here we are doing the cobra. Hey, look!  I can do the splits! After all that yoga, everyone was exhausted.
AbbyB Posted Oct 3, 2008, 11:59 pm	After yoga, we made tea. The cup is actually Abby's; she found a smaller, ToyVoyager-sized cup for everyone.  Nothing beats Earl Grey on a cold, wet day
AbbyB Posted Oct 4, 2008, 12:04 am	Then, we decided to read to each other.  I went first, reading everyone a fairy tale called Princess Abigail and the Wonderful Hat.  It was apparently Abby's favourite when she was younger, because of the name. Abby encouraged Greedy to read next.  He chose When Vegetables Go Bad. Vladimir offered to go next, and instead of choosing a nice picture book to read and look at, he chose one of Abby's textbooks, Environmental Policy. Zzzzzz...What?  Oh, right, we were reading about environmental policies...zzzzz.
AbbyB Posted Oct 15, 2008, 11:49 pm	I'm on my way to Finland!  Goodbye, Canada!
Hisch Posted Nov 10, 2008, 7:45 am	Yay, after few minor setbacks i made it to Finland and to Sara. At first i was stuck in customs for who knows how long and then there was problems with my ID number. At the moment there´s no pictures yet, but i´ve had fun here. I met Cucio just before he was sent back home ( and let me tell you, he´s a funny little fellow). I´ve also got to know few other friends and of course Sara´s two noisy kids Ups, did i say noisy? I meant totally gentle Until Next update!

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