Wednesday August 11th

Having arrived towards the end of the my Aunt, Uncle, and parent's trip to Barcelona, they were pretty tired and ready for a relatively uneventful day. So we decided to go for a nice short shopping trip in downtown Barcelona. We all had a few souvenir and must have item to pick up so we knew we couldn't get sucked in to do too many things. Well let me tell you, I was tempted to want to do so many things but I understood - the feeling of going back home from vacation tired can be very draining. But after walking around, stopping at the stores we intended to and seeing the usual interesting-people-watching-scenes I found myself back in the car as planned.


We came back to the house for a famous Monsterat lasagna lunch and fruit. After which everyone had the feeling for a much needed siesta. This is where I caught up on my sleep I think, mine lasted a good 2 hours! Than I woke up to a full household of people. They had planned a drive up to some of the close by mountains to see the view. Meanwhile I went and played some basketball. Losing track of time, after 2 hours of playing the call to come home because we were heading to Barcelona for dinner was received. Got home, showered and dressed all within 10 minutes to enjoy a great night out. The restaurant was beautiful (fun fact: the restaurant was the one from the movie "Vicky Cristina Barcelona"), the food was great and the company even better!

We finished off the night with a visit to the eldest brother Carlos' house in north Barcelona, to see his new digs and the painting he did for the baby's room haha. It was a very cool place, the perfect size and use of space, which they had done a great job of making into a home. You don't find anything like that in Canada that's for sure haha. Said our goodbyes :( and headed home.



Another late night well spent. I was ready for bed after some initial packing but couldn't seem to fall asleep when I started to think about how lucky I was to have had the pass couple of day turn out the way they did. Pretty cool …

"When the doors of opportunity swing open, we must make sure that we are not too afraid or indifferent to walk through them." JJ
Mich

Tuesday August 10th

Another great breakfast to start the day and than we were in for a beach tour. We headed to the north east coast of Costa Brava where the family usually vacationed to when the boys were younger so it was fun to hear some of the stories. It took about 2 hours to get there, I tried to stay awake to see some of the scenery but it was mostly highway, which meant instant napping for me :). The first stop was to the top of a mount St.Sebastian, were the introduction to the great views began. This is where one of the most important light houses is located and below is surrounded by one of the busiest beaches.



Next we head to the town of Tamarin for some lunch on the beach front and a walk along the beach path - again it was insanely busy.



Than our snorkelling and exploring destination was just around the cove, where we set up on rock face and explored the water below. The water was a refreshing temperature and there were plenty of fish to see. Not to mention that swimming in the ocean always reminds me of how big the world actually is - when you look out and all you can see is water and the thought of the next content being so many swimming months away is always surreal to me haha. But we all enjoyed the day and no one got sun burnt. Being able to tell we were tourist from a cold country was too easy for the brown-sun-tanned Europeans :).



After leaving the beach we headed to the top of another mountain where the very cool hotel of Parador Hotel Aigublava was located. We walked around a bit more as the temperature was starting to cool down and the lightning on the coast made for some great pictures of the scenery!



Than for our final stop we ended up in Pals, which is a medieval village where the coast line can be seen from afar. This is the typical town that you would see in a movie with a medieval setting. Cobble stone streets, old farming land, gothic church, archways in the street, flowers that looked wild but well kept and endless scenic view from different viewpoints to make you think its the perfect spot between sea and land (wow that sounds like a travel adversitment haha).






We headed home, which definitely involved a nap in the car, and we were all ready for some much needed sleep. Had a snack of fruit - I swear they inject it with sugar and growth hormones, which makes every possible fruit delicious. Even fruit that I don't like look appetizing and I must try and ones that we don't have at home are that much more tempting to try haha. Off to bed ready to sleep for hours ….

“The cure for anything is salt water - sweat, tears, or the sea.” ID
Mich

Monday August 9th

Had to do some serious reading to fall sleep after heading to bed around 11pm, as we had a 5am wake up call ahead of us. Our destination today was three and a half hours north west to the Pyrenees mountains for an exciting day of white water rafting and some site seeing around the village of Llavorsi. Getting there a few hours before our raft departure time, our gracious host of course packed us a picnic lunch, which we enjoyed river side - couldn't get much better! Then we walked around a bit and took in some of the mountain side town before suiting up for our water escapade! With my Mom a little nervous and my excitement building I knew we were in for some fun haha. We all got the traditional rafting gear and a quick intro to the basics, than we were off for an hour and 25 minute, 14km adventure. It was tons of fun highlighted by: some 'bumper cars' off rocks, some refreshing floating in the ice cold river, Mom's face when told to 'rescue' everyone, Uncle DV's determination leading the charge in the front, and many laughs having to do with our paddling (in)ability and general excitement when going down rapids! (Hopefully action photos to follow later)
After that little work out :) we were met by our ride back to the city as soon as we arrived back at the rafting starting spot. We decided we were more tired than hungry and start the trek back home. After an adrenaline-pumping-european-style drive back home we had some snacks and were ready for a nice night at the house. Of course this does not consist of nothing but we had a great time. Aunt Wendy and I spent a good amount of time helping prepare some bedding for the baby that the family is expecting any day now! Mom and Monsterat jumped in here and there while preparing some things for dinner. We enjoyed a very very good spaghetti dinner under a warm and comfortable night - oh did i mention that typical dinner time is around 9pm and we eat outside most of the time, one of my favourite parts and exactly my style haha. Another late night to try and fall asleep, I don't think the napping in the car anywhere we go is helping ...
"No day is so bad or too good that it can't be improved with a nap." CP
Mich

Sunday August 8th

I arrived in Barcelona after a 7 hour flight, my first international flight alone, which felt great to get out of the way to know I was comfortable doing it. I met a really interesting girl from the US who went to undergrad at UNC, it took all my strength to not ask too many questions about the sports culture but her best friend was a member of the women's basketball team so I was in luck haha. She had just finish an internship in New York for her third year in Law school and decided to take a 5 day trip to Barcelona before school started again in 8 days ... insane! The flight attendant thought we were sisters and travelling together to celebrate a vacation from school so she brought the drinks over right away haha. We had some good chats, some laughs, a nice nap and a really decent meal (for an economy class ticket) to make the flight pass very quickly. I arrived in Barcelona airport at 7am with a solid 3 hour nap to sustain me for the day - I don't know what all the fuss is about jet lag, the adrenaline and excitement of being in a new country had me ready to go haha .... maybe.
Getting back to the house, that I had been to 2 years ago, immediately felt like home. It may be because the family we stay with is exactly that FAMILY, but it also has to do with the hospitality and the way they go out of there way to make you feel like you can make yourself at home. So we started off the day with a typical European breakfast - fresh bread, cheese, amazing fruit, cafe, tea, and of course my favorite chocolate croissants! Than after much discussion we (Mom, Dad and Aunt Wendy) decided to head to the Barcelona Zoo for a few hours while the rest of the crew stayed at home to enjoy the warm weather in a more relaxing way and to prepare for the tradition Spanish meal of paella.






It wasn't as big as the Toronto zoo but there are still a lot of animals and you are a lot closer to the them than most zoos, good or bad you can decide haha. Another Barcelona site to check off the never ending list of things to do there!
We returned from the zoo right on time to enjoy a delicious meal of a paella, that had more ingredients in it than I can list but it was DELICIOUS! (google paella if you are interested in cooking, its a lot of fun to make and you can't mess up the 'receipt' because there are so many versions). Oh and we definitely could not have this meal without drinking sangria and having crema catalana for dessert. [Caution google imaging these items may make your mouth water] haha.
Being full and tired is the perfect combo for a quick siesta to get over some jet lag - well it felt like I slept for hours but it only lasted about 20 minutes, so that was either all I needed or I was just too over tired, who knows. Everyone was still too full from the meal that we didn't plan any dinner but more family members stopped by to visit. We took some pictures and enjoyed the warm weather and good company before heading to the beach for an early evening walk.



A great day to start with :) …

"The first step towards somewhere new is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are." UK
Mich

Off Running with the Bulls

Well I'm not in Panploma but I'm close enough to get the cultural feel haha. I have finally made it to Europe after what feels like months of waiting yet it came up so quickly. I start in Barcelona for a few days of pure vacation and fun with family - my Canadian family and my spanish family :). It has been quite the journey to get here but at the same time a new journey is starting. I hope to share with you what I'm up to, with no intention or agenda just what comes to mind. Enjoy at your own pace and risk, some of it may mean nothing but this is my easiest way to share with everyone. And a very wise team of 'life coaches' showed me the rewarding process and peace of mind that 'journalling' can bring.
If anything I hope to strike your interest about something you may want to do or go, or something that you may realize you haven't done or may never want to do. I know that I'm beyond lucky for what I'm about to venture off and get to experience, so I want to share it with anyone and everyone. This is my way of trying to keeping everyone in on what I'm up to, because we all know I'm not the best of communicators when in the same country so a whole different contient could bring a whole new level haha.
But I'm so fortune to have family and friends genuinely interested in what I'm doing. You know who you are so here is to you….

"The future is always beginning now" MS
Mich

Dance Post ...

So You Think You Can Dance is always a hit in the summer mostly because of timing and its one of the better TV talent shows - don't get me wrong it still has its corny story montages, bad one-liners, and off the cuff judges' comments. But at the end of the day the dancing is really good and the show was one of the first to bring light to one least publicized art forms. This season has some added excitement with a change in format, only took the top 10, and the addition of the "All-Stars". Unfortunately there has been lots of injuries but here, like many, is my favorite dance so far - even though Alex got voted off because he was hurt. Apparently none of the codes or links work for a good version of the dance expect this one (just watch quality ones youTube if need be).

Predicted top 3:
1. Kent
2. Lauren
3. Robbie

"When your soul dances your feet can just follow." MM
Mich

"Joy, Joy, Joy" Alegria

Went to see Cirque du Soleil - Alegria at the MTS center and all I can say is wow. I have been wanting to see any Cirque show ever since I saw those documentaries on CBC on how the athlete/artist live and work when they are a part of the show (yeah I think I'm the only one who watch them, probably why they didn't last too long, but I enjoyed them haha). Anyways I finally get why they are so popular around the world. You get a traditional circus feel with the combination of really cool technology and amazing athletes/artisit that anyone can respect, appreciate and be enthralled by. It's no wonder they have some of the longest running shows in the business. If you get a chance go, see it! And it's worth the extra money for really good seats (that will be next time for me haha).

"Cirque du Soleil is not a show its an experience that means something different to everyone."
Mich

Summer Concert Series Continued ...

It's Drizzy! Went to the Drake concert Wednesday night and it was really well done. You can tell that he puts a lot of thought into his performances and his music. Although the show was a little on the short side it was packed with exciting songs, great music by his band and an all around entertaining performance. I know I may be basis because I was a huge Degrassi fan and I'm a sucker for Canadian artists but this guy is/going to be making moves whether people like him or not, mainly because he loves what he is doing. This documentary is pretty interesting ...


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"I was only trying to get ahead. But the spotlight makes you nervous." AG
Mich

The Place in my Dreams ...

(Travel Date: July 8th to 11th)

Next stop was a place with sights and people so familiar, yet it felt so different. Maybe it's the whole decision making that was accompanying me but it brought a comforting calm to the unknown. Getting to spend 4 days at my family cottage was perfect and the weather was exactly was I was hoping for :). Thinking about it now, The Cottage is one of my favorite places in the world, like you know when you have those dreams about everyone you know or want to meet or care about, being all in one place at the same time - this is where it happens for me haha. But I haven't even really shared it with any of my friends - it is a trek from home as you can see in the map and going to university out of province doesn't help the cause but if anyone wants to make the trip I would gladly share haha. I mean having great food, family, weather and warm swimming water can happen anywhere but this is my preferred spot! Maybe its the memories and the nostalgic feel. Not too mention I always get in a good book read or two :). Maybe one day you will join me haha. Some pictures I took ....






"A cottage is a resting place for the mind, a recharging venue for the soul, and the best place to read a book."
Mich

'Every night it's fireworks' ... in Hali!

(Travel Date: June 30th to July 6th)

Next stop on my summer adventures I found myself in Halifax, NS. Got a full 6 days to catch up with some friends from high school and a few childhood friends. The trip was way beyond what I could have imagined considering I did absolutely no planning - just bought the ticket when I found out about the chance to catch-up with more than one friend in a fun city - which can be a rarity!

Some of the trip highlights include:

A really fun bar 'The Lower Deck" two nights in a row to start the trip haha!


Saw the Canada Day Fire Works from the pier in Halifax.

Saw my old basketball club Transway play in Eastern Canadian Club championships. My old coach, Mr. Nurse, was coaching were nothing has seemed to change haha. And the 'Only reds on championship Sundays' was out in full affect as they breezed to a gold medal!

"The Original 5" made dinner and had a fun night out!

With new 'gang' member and surfing guide Missy, we enjoyed a day at the beach and went on my first surf experience.

And finally, met up with two of my best friends from grade school "Kat" and "Tuff" and was able to reminisce about the fact we literally spent every weekend with each other from grades 1 to 6 and the 'mischief' we would get in to haha.

All in all it was much a good trip that I'm so glad I got to go on. Just goes to show that living in the moment and taking advantage of unexpected opportunities really pays off :).

"Good friends are like stars. You don't always see them, but you know they are always there." WW

Mich

A Trip Down Memory Land ...

I find myself having already started my summer travel adventures, without even finishing my last few updates from Manitoba. Oh and I just realized that my last blog entry may have read wrong - it was suppose to say my blog entries will almost always be life updates, as it seems like that is all i have time to do. This is further proven by the fact that I made the executive decision to not bring my computer along with me on my travels - one less valuable and electronic to carry and look after ... and maybe the longboard won the coin toss haha.

Anyways to round out some highlights from the last week, I went to two graduation ceremonies. It's that time of year! First started off with a trip to Skownan Reserve to attend their grade 9 farewell night. It was great to see there biggest (9 students) and their most successful (17 sport banders!!!) class yet. Also fun to see how much the kids have grown in only the 4 years I have known them - I'm excited to see what they do in the future because they have the potential to make so much positive change in their community!

Secondly I continued my Northern trek up to Thompson and spent the weekend with my aunt, uncle and cousins. It was my youngest cousins Nicole's graduation, which is still surreal because a part of her will forever be the 6 year kid that would sit at our kitchen table in a soaking wet bathing suit quoting all the 'bad' lines from the movie Home Alone because I let her watch it haha. But it was so cool to see how mature she has gotten over the last couple of years - she played bass twice and spoke during the ceremony, which only confirmed the confidence that she has in herself and the endless talent that she seems to have. And she won two awards which can confirmed I don't just have a family basis of praise haha. The rest of weekend we hung out, read books, when to the lake, had a bonfire, watched a movie and the soccer games, ate and drank!

All in all it was worth the northern expedition and sitting through hours of ceremony formalities to get to see all these young people be excited about what they had accomplished but be eager to move on to all the things that come next.

(And until I get my camera in working order the pictures are going to be few and far between)

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail" GD

Mich

Vintage Moments

As luck would have it, and my Uncle as usual always providing surprises and unexpected gifts called me at 2:00pm yesterday to ask whether I wanted to go see the Dixie Chicks and The Eagles at 6pm that night!!! So I know what some of you maybe thinking that I'm not a big 'country' fan, but to be honest I have made a few exceptions over time haha. For some reason the Dixie Chicks have made their way into monumental periods in my life and their music means something to me. It was really cool to see them be so passionate about what they do and what they stand for and putting up with everything that comes with it - having a Canadian crowd to encourage is also fun haha. Than The Eagles followed ... well all I can say is thank you Mom and Dad for instilling in me the interest in all types of music - even if my Dad was slightly basis towards rock of the 60's, 70's and early 80's :). Needless to say The Eagles were a favorite listen during Saturday house cleaning or car rides to school in the morning. So getting to experience these guys live, I kind of felt privilege and a part of something - it was really cool!! They haven't lost their touch in performing, not like I can compare to another show of theirs haha, but comparing to concert of younger artist they provide an authenticity that may be lost in some of today's shows. I mean the one-legged hop guitar routine by Don Henley come on! You could know nothing about classical rock and have watched the movie School of Rock once and appreciate that! Anyways all in all I was so happy I got to go and it was something I won't soon forget.

One of many reasons these ladies are pretty inspiring ...

A little comparison ... :)

"When the train rolls by, I'm gonna be ready this time." DC
Mich

What's next??

Officially done school, at least for a while, as of last Saturday morning (were I felt slightly abused my numbers but lets not go there), so I have a new form of free time. For some reason things to occupy my time just appear at the end of the day when I have already done them and my check list of things to do is still full - either with unfinished tasks or task that came about that day. This would be referred to a alternating harmonic series - in calculus terms - and yes I just made that reference haha. But none the less it is a way better feeling knowing I can do some of the more exciting to do items, such as longboarding, read a book in the sun, or go to a concert, without the guilt of school trying to creep in and ruin it. So for now I hope to get back to some interesting blogs about random stuff I'm up to and hopefully start to figure out my plan for next year. This is a bit of transition summer for me, as I'm not playing at U of M next year and my life won't be centered around Friday and Saturday game nights, it's time to do some self discovery and see life after bison basketball - yeah I don't think that is going to be 100% possible, that was me just trying to sound philosophical - don't think it worked haha. Anyways keep you posted ...


"No news is good news sometimes!"
Mich

The Missing Skits ....

When trying to finalize the video in time for the wind-up, as usual doing it right down to the wire, I forgot two skits. Unfortunately or Fortunately for them they were a bit left out of the self-humiliation and ego checking haha. I'm posting them mostly so the girls stop asking for them and so they can see them. And iDVD update is I got one to work so we should be done mass production in no time! Enjoy them ....

Lauren's Skit from Michele Hynes on Vimeo.

Vanessa's Skit from Michele Hynes on Vimeo.

If people want to see more of these skits (there are 22), the team will have a copy of it so they can watch them whenever, but if others are interested in seeing more let me know!

"I got a fever! And the only prescription is more Cowbell!" SNL
Mich

Books, Boarding, and No Boredom

I can't believe it has almost been a month since I last posted. Apparently times flies when you aren't paying attention to it. Here's a really quick recap of everything that has highlighted the last 3 weeks:

- I finished another course, glad to have microbiology over and done with!

- We had our last JRB tournament, where we finally played age appropriate in the US (AAU tourney), so although we had some tough games we played hard. We came second in every game and 4th in our pool haha.

- I have officially started a new obsession with long boarding. I'm still really bad at it but I love just going out for rides and trying to just stay on the board (using both feet is my new goal haha). It is definitely therapeutic for my transition from playing university sport and basketball running my life, so I'm just enjoying the simplicity of my novice skills haha.

- I have started to try and plan my life for next year but it seems like I'm just getting more options added to the possible equations so I'm just focusing on finishing this last course (calculus for engineering 2 - which can consume my brain in the most confusing way that if i don't focus on it my head may explode - so it's a win win haha).

- And finally, I have been working diligently on trying to get our Bison Basketball Wind-Up video finalized. Whitney, Mubo, Eric and myself put in some countless hours to make this video funnier than last year. Which I think overall was a success! I'm just in the process of trying to get this massive iMovie video into iDVD so that it can be shared for years to come, but I'm having some technical difficulties at the moment (I'll keep you posted girls ... be patience haha). I'm hoping to post some of the videos but unfortunately if you don't know some of the people we are 'reenacting' the humor can be lost on you but you never know! Whit and Mubo could both be on the SNL cast if there current career plans don't work out so there is potential to make everyone laugh :).

Well that's the update for now ... hopefully get back to posting a little more often. Oh and did I mention how much I'm loving summer - yeah the amount of rain we have had it not fun but it makes studying easier and that much more appreciative of the sunny days!

"Don't it make you scared to know that life is more than who we are?" GD
Mich