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Today was the windiest day I have experienced here … so far apparently since it does get more windy from what I’ve been told.  Hoping for some nice waves I went to the beach after work. 

Looking East towards the city the beach was deserted. The wind was just amazing I had to quickly just turn and take the photo and quickly turn back - I didn’t want the sand getting in the camera.

West was not much better.  Only be the stairs did I see some people.  The more interesting view was out in the sea.

There was this "crazy" guy (I think) flying out on the sea.  I guess someone was really enjoying the windy weather.

I tried to take some close up action photos, but 85mm was not enough of a zoom.  I would need a longer fast lens.

While taking these photos I was constantly trying to avoid getting sand in the camera, by getting it in my hair and face… sand is not delicious… too crunchy.  Luckily I didn’t loose my hat, though it did escape a few times, only to be chased and caught.

Finally I have time to post a current blog; and with it some photos from the sea I took a few days ago (almost a week now I guess)

The banks before the exit to the beach

The Baltyk sea beach - seems longer because of the 10-22 lens

These small flowers are everywhere in the forest on the way to and back from the beach … I have no idea what they are but they add a nice color to the green parts, especially when the sun hits them

5 minutes before takeoff:
So here I am on the first flight out this year.  This time its through London Heathrow.  We chose a nice day for flying - the middle day of a long weekend.  The plane is almost empty.  I got the whole row to my self ^_^v.

In addition BA has little TVs in this 777, but I probably won’t watch anything on them… with three seats, extended battery on my PSP with 8GB of space (20+ hours of music, 4 hours of TV, 3 games), and my e-book reader this flight will be quick.

~3:20 in flight:
So far I watched the latest episode of Battlestar Galactica, Lost and Dr. Who (still got CSI and The Invisibles - but I’ll leave these for the layover or the next flight).  For now I’ll start reading KOR manga until I fall asleep… maybe

40 minutes to go:
Ahh its nice to have so much room… I had a nice nap and now its almost time to land… time went quickly as planned… next up - Heathrow and the new terminal 5 (well new to me).

LHR Terminal 5:

Terminal 5 looks great - I’m guessing its brand new.  It has the standard highly overpriced brand shops, lots of sitting space with too many people and food places of various kinds - and of course a Starbucks.  Next time if I have the opportunity i have to take a closer look at the shop above "wagamama"? WTH?

Anyway’s… now I’m waiting by A10 (next to the Starbucks) for our next flight and then the loooong drive to "home".

note to self: find out how far has the little Totoro on my Porter bag traveled so far - maybe I can get airmiles for him too …. hmmm….

So I’m once again getting ready to "go to work" overseas.  Unfortunately this time will be just me :(.  Luckily it will be for a short trip (a few weeks).  I plan to bring less stuff this time since coming back I only want to have my carry on luggage and then not too much.  Coming along this time is the big camera (400D/XTi), small camera, PSP, VAIO, DS and a new addition to the geeky family; the PRS-505 Sony Reader.

The display is simply amazing.  When I saw it at the shop (they just got them in as I walked in) i thought the display was the standard sticker that just simulates the display.  It wasn’t.  Its even a little whiter then the photo above.  Simply beautiful. 

The other great benefit is that I am able to read pretty much anything on it. Comics, books, documents… whatever.  There is a pretty good community that has produced quite a wide assortment of software for it.  If you want to know more about the reader and those things, check our wiki section about it.

So with these "tools" (toys?) I hope my time flying will go more quickly.  With the VAIO replacing my laptop it should make quick work of the "security check" since no one has ever questioned the VAIO as opposed to  laptop or PS3 or even the Wii.

Even with all these gadgets, I wish I could leave them and bring Umi with me, but at least she can enjoy the summer in the city; and I’ll be back soon and we can enjoy a long vacation.

*yawn* Well… after cleaning and doing laundry for the past few days - and of course wasting time drawing the same things over and over for Stef… today, so far at least, I am having a free day (woohoo!)

So for the last few days I’ve been playing with the new Sims 2 expansion.  This one lets you go on vacations… My first destination was their take on an Asian vacation - I think its supposed to be Japan actually Complete with Yukatas, Tea ceremony, food and of course ….

 hot springs

Another new thing is accessories… but those are a bit hard to take a screen shot of…

On a more real side though - I have successfully made tekka-don yesterday for dinner - all by my self … well kinda - Yummy had to walk me through the preparation and proportions - but I physicaly did the work my self.

It turned out well - but still its more delicious when Yummy makes it

– well I’m gona go explore Sims more - I already got a call and have to go out in a couple of hours :/ ~ oh well….

August 20th, 1621 GMT +9 - Tokyo
So here I am at Narita again. This time no net connection ’cause I’m here only 1 hour. In 30 minutes I will get on a plane and go back to Canada… too bad its by myself… but its the last time we will travel separately (hopefully).

I hope there is new movies on the flight, luckily this time I don’t need their food as I have cute riceball

….

August 20th, 1034 PST - Vancouver
8 hours in the plane later I’m now in Vancouver - waiting for my flight to Calgary. Almost there - customs was easy … didn’t ask anything - just passed through.

Its strange to hear everyone speaking English somehow… I’m gona miss Japanese - and I’m definitely gona miss Japanese service … and thin people ;P…

I don’t see any Japanese people on this flight to Calgary - yet? … but I know some are going ’cause they were talking about Banff… we’ll see.

to be continued …

Today is supposed to be 32 degrees - and with the 80% humidity we’ve had recently, we decided its a good day to hide in some air conditioned place.  Since its lunch time we took the tram to Odori and Yummy found a cute cafe.  Luckily it turns out it has free wi-fi access so I’m posting this blog from it.

Too bad free wi-fi (ie open WAPs) are not so common in Japan (at least I haven’t found so many in Sapporo).  And even in restaurants and cafes its not so common.  So this one is good… I don’t even know there is this AP here… Now if I could only find their music source … Its a weird mix of rap/reggae/hip-hop… oh well can’t have it all I guess.

Its the dessert… quite nice even though its "Japanese size"

Almost there.. just waiting for my flight to Sapporo - 2 hours to wait + 2 hours flight -> DONE!!

I haven?t sweated this much in long time? Tokyo is sooo humid in the rainy season? (its always humid but now especially)… that combined with carrying the big backpack didn?t help either?

Luckily this flight looks pretty empty? so maybe no one sitting next to me… I can have free space :) Umis recommendation to sit by the window on the flight to Narita was right on… I had the side storage bin all to myself … very convenient for such a long flight.

I?m finding that posting from the DS is not bad ? just annoying at time since the connection tends to go to sleep… so sometimes I have to close the cover to force it to reconnect.

I think the plane is already here… I?ll add photos later since I?m posting this from the DS.

Aaahhhh finally I’m in Vancouver! there is my plane to Tokyo.  I had to rush to get here cause the connecting flight was late coming into Calgary, and than late taking off, and late getting to the gate even? ssheesh - apparently Air-Can is "understaffed" they said and there was nobody to wave the plane into parking - we waited around 30 minutes staring at the gate in Vancouver?. so annoying.

Then the dash to get to the JAL counter to get my boarding pass, but it turned out I had still a bit of time to take a few pictures? Even though the flight is to Japan, not so many Japanese people - I expected more tours. 

Time to get going? next stop Japan

(posted the next day - after I was awake and had net access - I refused to pay Telus $8 for 30 minutes of use at the airport)

Next week this time - I will be on my way to Japan - yey!

Today was kind of busy morning.  We went to pickup photos in the morning - realy cheap $0.15 per print.  I think we had just over 100 photos my mom wanted to print to bring with her.  We also went to the old house, still there, nothing new - just way more houses around now.  On the way back we went to our first apartment in Canada.

It hasn’t changed that much.  It’s been renovated of course and now its no longer for rent but a condo building.  We met one lady living there - from Poland of all places… and she let us see inside her flat.  Quite nice - hardwood floors, new appliances etc… but a 45m2 flat costs almost $300,000 - (ghe!)

She does have a nice view from her balcony though - across the river to the apartments there - it used to be a park I think - and she can see gooses in the river.

I also worked on my before-going list today, and got my international drivers license - even though I won’t drive in Japan (highly unlikely - but in Poland I definitely will.)  It cost me $28 - including photo - not too bad. 

There are only a few things left to do.  I’ll have to work on my final tonight - I wana get at least one question done.  Its not so bad - just 2 questions and take home - nice