Old Friend, New Friends

BACKGROUND: Ben Mackereth (my buddy from Australia) moved out to British Columbia about a year and half ago to live with his Canadian girlfriend and explore the country. Rebecca (his g/f) moved out to Australia before that(where she met Ben) to live at one of my relatives house and coach Vaulting (horse sport). GOT THAT?

I was super pumped to be coming out west because I knew I'd get to meet up with the two of them. As I have been in touch with Ben over the last three years(YIKES)since I've been in Australia, I knew about Bec but was a little unsure of what it would be like to meet her. Would she like me? Would I like her? --> Last week I got to find out. OMG, Bec has to be one of the liveliest funniest people I've met! Always up for a good time and Ben is one of the kindest, easy going people I know - so it was fantastic to see the two together. Ben and Bec invited us last week to Coquitlam for July 1st (Canada Day for all you Americans :) ) where after getting lost a couple times and were desperate to find a liquor store on our way to Bec's house; we finally arrived about 2 hours late. I felt like it was just a bit ago I had seen Ben- and Bec was very welcoming :) We played Bocce before Bec had to leave for a work Christmas party? and we went to eat dinner. After we ate supper with Ben and a couple of his buddies, we gathered up and grabbed Bec and headed back to the house. We ended up drinking a bit more and playing Bocce with her 'cute as' parents. Bec's dad was hilarious as it was most important that we try a throw of Bocce on their trampoline! haha.

Ben and I at Cactus Club Cafe


Then on the weekend we piled into Ben's most awesome Dodge Grand Caravan and met up with two other couples to go camping at Ross Lake on the Canadian/US Border. It was absolutely beautiful!! We arrived REALLY late Friday night and were lucky to get a spot. We set up in the dark and then sat around candles (thanks to a fire ban) and talked for a bit. Brandon and I drank a bottle of Aunt Sheri's homemade wine that she MADE us bring :)

Group shot - Camping at Ross Lake


Brandon and the border marker - you can see the border go up the mountain behind.


The next day Brandon and I went down to the Skagit River to fish (one rainbow trout) and then went to the Beach by the lake with everyone else. We had a few dogs in the crew so the dogs went swimming and the boys did some log rolling with driftwood from the lake. It was quite funny to watch them make it all of 3 seconds on the logs before tumbling off. Sometimes in very awkward looking ways bahaha! We had an amazing dinner (thanks to B and B) with bacon wrapped Turkey steaks and incredible instant mashed potatoes (thanks to A.Sheri), which I promise you - were REALLY amazing. We sat around candles again before all heading to bed.

Brandon fishing on Skagit River


Rainbow Trout


Bec is the splash and Ben is on the log


On the way home - we had a major flat tire. Aussie Ben to the rescue "no worries mate." We pulled over along the highway after a woman driving by mouthed as big as her mouth could go that we HAD-A-FLAT-TIIIIREEE. We got back on the road and not five minutes in the windshield got smacked by a rock and left a very large crack. POOR BEN. The weekend however was very fun!

Flat Tire


Experienced? I think!


Train went zooming by when we were pulled over


Job searching is a bit slow. Not a lot of employment opportunities out here as far as summer jobs. Construction you have to have certification. Restaurant business you have to have three food safety certifications. Grocery Stores have finished summer hiring (hopefully I can use my Deli slicing experience to weasel my way in)? The home hardware places are like the grocery stores. Reception work is definitely needed out here but Punjabi is a must often times?! Brandon and I couldn't even get work for BLUEBERRY PICKING?!!! I may resort to a Timmy's (Tim Horton's) or another fast food joint. Sheri gave me her neighbors number who hasn't had her bathroom cleaned in just under a YEARR...so I will head over to do that this week?! Brandon has had a paying photo job taking pictures of high school seniors for their prom. It was a good time as it was Aunt Sheri's friend who asked her to take some pics. She very kindly invited Brandon along.

Speaking of the fam...the four of them are so incredibly kind to us. Uncle Jamie works LOOONG shifts at the PD and Sheri is almost always going somewhere for the kids or whatever else. She constantly offers us stuff and makes us "special coffees" in the evening. SPOILED ARE WE!! Jenni and Connor and awesome cuzzies. Connor is the most polite young guy I've ever met! Jenni is the most hilarious high strung 12 year old. It's awesome. I often get tickled or she likes to attempt to pick my heavy a$$ up (I dont know why?haha) The other day she put my hair in a siamese pony tail?! bahaha. The family is currently down on the Oregon coast enjoying the spectacular ocean and beaches!

I guess that's enough of an update for now? JON and NINA COME TODAY!! yipee!

Love from the two of us...
Amy


Dad - post something!

VIDEOS --> http://www.youtube.com/user/ameroo1986 <-- Train/Flat tire and Log Rolling! :)