I HEART chocolate

Now here's a story I can get behind! mmmmm!

http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/1221258968/ID=2110679204

Saturday evening snack

Home baked potato chips... Yuuuuuummm!

English time

A number of my friends and family have started giving me a hard time for not using more English with U. He writes scientific papers in English but struggles to have a regular conversation.

So this evening, as we were rating dinner I switched to English. I asked him about his day, ranted about the blatantly sexist news, and we talked about the food. As dinner came to a close he patted his stomach happily and said "FULL!"

I didn't immediately notice the sly grin that spread across his face as he cocked his head to the side and questioned: "you fuuuuuullll?"

I assented, and patted my stomach but he shook his head and repeated again "you fuuuuuuuulll!"

A giggle escaped him as I noticed the sly grin - the little bugger, he was making fun of me! He wasn't saying "full" but "fool"!!!

I playfully mimed cuffing him upside the head as he laughed, quite proud of himself.

The problem with helping him improve his English? Giving him another language to make fun of me in!

Jack Layton

Last night, instead of working on the translation with a rapidly approaching due date, I spent the evening trying to explain the Canadian political system to U through my tears.

Early in the morning of August 22, Jack Layton, the Leader of the Opposition, lost his battle with Cancer. Canada lost a great man and a great politician. Even those who did not agree with his politics admired the man and recognize the loss. But I just couldn't explain it all to U. He just didn't understand. It is at times like these that I get homesick...

You will be missed Jack, across Canada and around the world.

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For those of you who don't know who Jack was, here is just a sampling of what is being said:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-death.html

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/story/2011/08/22/layton-obituary.html

And in his own words:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-last-letter.html

TILT - on the road in the wilds of western Japan

U and I headed off for a few days to enjoy our summer holidays. So far there has been lots to love...

- car trips

- tuna sashimi

- our local mom 'n pop izakaya

- rice krispie treats (made with non rice krispie rice puffs and chocolate corn flakes)

- the chocolate coffee icecreamy goodness that is Papiko

- hot springs

- spending time with U

Wordless Wednesday - The Colonel

Supposedly he's advertising the special summer deal KFC has with an anime series, they are offering character thermoses and water bottles or something similar. But I really do think they could have made more of an effort with the "costume!!"