Swimming Lesson #1

Brent and I finally made our way to the Eglinton Community Centre nearby.

Interesting first lesson.

So - i don't really know how to swim. I know how to enjoy water - I do love being in the water. I just have this phobia of drowning cause for some reason, I never really learned how to tread water. So patient Brent has agreed to teach me. :)

The first day (which was a few weeks ago now) was funny. I think we spent 50mins in the pool - but I would totally have stayed longer.

He patiently worked with me as I tried to get the motion of the egg beater just right. Not right enough, cause I was still drifting below the water's surface...but it was a valiant first attempt (if i do say so myself).

But the real kick in the face was when that four year old boy passed by with his father in tow cheering him on - as he demonstrated various swimming strokes. I think that's when i looked at brent and wanted to cry. Seriously? i'm excited cause i can almost coordinate my legs and arms at 26, and this kid is a swimming champion in the making at age 4?

Somewhere, 22 years ago, I missed the boat.

I failed yellow my first time in swimming lessons at age 8 because I didn't want to open my eyes under water in chlorine. Hmmmm. Why weren't goggles an option?

Oh - and Brent was a champion swimmer. I suggested we race back to the edge of the pool, because I'm so proud that i sort of know how to do a slew of swimming strokes, and because i totally forgot that he used to swim. He starts to break through the water - with like perfect form with his strokes.

Yeah - i tend to bite off more than i can chew...always. Needless to say, there was no way that I could win any swimming races with him.

Give me the summer - i'll be a pro by the end.

Hike number 2 - inner city

Date: February 17th, 2007

Hiking Partners: Brent and Claude (he travelled in my waist belt the whole duration of the hike...he is seen in the picture giving you all the thumb's up -- he was comfortable)

Start time - can't remember - it was either 8.30am or sometime around 9.00am

End time - 3 hours 11mins and 31 seconds later

Amount of hiking clocked - 3hours 11mins and 31secs

Distance - still unknown. Although, I bumped into Rob S on my way home from MEC (i was walking, and bumped into him 2/3rds of the way home) and he mentioned this website that might help me track down my distance for walks. I really have to check it out.

Timing method - cell phone stop watch. My real stop watch's battery died on me - oops. It's dumb though - cause you can't turn it off, so the moment the battery is connected, it doesn't stop until it's dead.

Shoes - nothing fancy. Just my thinsulate boots. I haven't bought my hiking boots yet. I will be testing out my KEEN sandals this summer though.

Pack contents - again, nothing impressive - just my fluffed up sleeping bag

The Urban Hike

Not my favorite hike. Brent and I took Mt Pleasant from my house all the way down the Union Station (where he was meeting up with some friends to go to the auto show) and then I walked back home. On my way home, it was snowing a bit. Which was nice. Just fluffy snow - nothing challenging.

I don't recall having any knee problems from this hike...mind you it was over a month ago.

Hmmm - which makes this post far too outdated.

I really did put hiking on hold over the winter months. It's great to hike in the snow - as it is really challenging with trudging through snow drifts. I guess I just decided that since I won't be hiking in the winter months in NZ (due to safety concerns), i would just take it easy through to the spring. I think I'll start up after I get home from Easter. :)

I guess that's it.

PS - who's Claude?

I don't know if I ever mentioned him before - Claude is the beanie baby crab that belongs to my family. We have had him since the beginning of my mom's collection (i think i was in grade 10 or 11). He has become the travelling beanie baby. He goes on all the trips with whoever in the family. He's been to the arctic with my dad, Las Vegas with my parents, Montreal with me, all my road trips - he attends (sadly, he was even in my car accident when i ditched my car on the hwy driving home for Xmas), and he joined my father and I on our skydiving adventure last summer. He's been other places too - but i can't remember them. He lives with me most of the time - I think cause I've tried to claim him as my own. He will be going back to North Bay at Easter so that he can join my parents on their trip to Rome.

quite possibly six months and 4 days away...

update to come

- about alternate hikes through injuries and getting back on track.
- about my tramping* plans.
- about 'what's in my backpack'.
- about how i'm feeling about the trip.
- about the exact date - which depending on if our show runs another 13 episodes for this season, may have to be extended a few short weeks.
- about my hiking buddies.
- about my 'swimming lessons'.
- about vaccinations.
- about my financial goals.
- about my family and friends.

* tramping is the word used in NZ to describe 'backpacking/hiking' in the back country.