2011 ...

Wow!  When I think back over last year, 2011, I realise how much I did, it was huge!  It was a great year, full of challenges, surprises and so many new experiences.  Here's a recap of some of the big events of 2011 in my 'next adventure' ... 

In January, I headed to Alice Springs to visit Mum on her year of going 'walkabout' in the Northern Territory.  I was overwhelmed by the beauty in the landscape around Alice Springs.

Another watering hole

February was a sad month with the health deterioration and subsequent passing of my dear old dog, Charlie.  I was lucky to be able to say goodbye to him on a visit to Dad's just a few days before he left us.  In late February, I made the trip to Hanging Rock with some family and friends to celebrate my 30th birthday.

Hanging out with Charlie (and C)

Hanging out at Hanging Rock

In March, I returned to cold Canada where, on my first day back, I caught up with an old school friend, Camilla and her husband, on their brief trip to Calgary.  I also headed to San Francisco for a conference and catch up with my dear friends, Jolan and Arpad.  After San Fran, I followed C to Sin City, where I escaped the casinos to visit the awesome Grand Canyon.

Welcome back to the cold in Calgary

A San Fran icon

Touring the wineries with Jolan and Arpad

Grand Canyon

April was a fairly quiet month.  I spent some time working at the family's island and enjoying the delights of Salt Spring Island.

May brought another visit to the West Coast, this time to celebrate C's parents' 50th wedding anniversary.

 June was an eventful month, health wise, with a bout of pancreatitis to slow me down and inspire me to give up booze for a month.  I drove to Montana to renew my visa and spent some time oggling horses at Spruce Meadows.

Magical Montana

Spruce Meadows

Everything seemed to happen in July, as is necessary in Canada because the window for lovely weather is fairly short.  Having said that, the first major activity in July was outside of Canada with a whirlwind trip to China, where I gorged myself on my favourite Chinese foods, shopping and catching up with old friends.  July was also Stampede time and Canada Day celebrations (for us, the Millarville Races).  Calgary Folk Fest also entertained us in July.  We spent time hiking (and bear spotting).  Towards the end of the month, C and I explored lakes and wineries in the Okanagon.

Eating with friends in China

 

Drinking with friends in China

Yeeha at the Stampede

Canada Day celebrations at Millarville Races

Hiking in Kananaskis

 

Bear spotting in Kananaskis

 

Lakes and wineries in the Okanagon

In August, we headed the other direction and visited the prairies, where we saw a prairie theatre production and hung out at a friend's lake side cabin (where I discovered that tubing is not for me).

Driving in the prairies

My very short tubing experience

In September, I visited C's parents in Victoria and also bid farewell to Deadman Island.  I celebrated my last night by impressing the kids with my ability to jump off high rocks into freezing cold water.

Beautiful Victoria

A brave feat on my part

October was fairly uneventful since I was (supposed to be) staying at home working on my uni assignments.  C and I took part in the annual Calgary Stampede Cattle Drive and stayed at the Banff Springs hotel.  I also helped out at Millarville Community School.  At the end of October, I celebrated my first Thanksgiving and Halloween.

Cattle Drive

Banff Springs Hotel

In November, I headed back to Australia.  I was thrilled to be back in time for the Melbourne Cup carnival and to see my family.  After nearly a month off, I returned to work in Manly.

Stakes Day with Mum

Manly

December was a busy month.  Mum visited for 10 days and we had lots of fun adventures.   Not long after she left, C arrived for Christmas.  We had a wonderful time exploring Sydney, Melbourne and various spots in Tasmania.  You'll hear more about these adventures over the next few weeks.  And, of course, there was Christmas, which was a fun celebration of family and life.

Elton John concert with Mum

Hanging out in Sydney with C

Christmas time = family time

So there you have it, the year that was 2011.  The new year of 2012 is going to bring huge changes to my life, which stresses me out slightly but it's bound to be one big adventure.  I have only 6 weeks of work left until I will be officially unemployed.  I will return to Canada on a more full time basis and hopefully find a teaching job beginning in September.  Until then, I plan to work on my Masters thesis, pick up some casual work and work on a special project which I'll announce in a little while (and no, I'm not expecting a baby).  2012 will be the year of the unknown for me, but I look forward to sharing the ride with you all.  Happy New Year!