BOOM, BOOM & BEYOND

After a week back here in Japan, I am feeling like myself again - jet lag finally has worn off. Pretty tired last week as II went back to work the morning I arrived home!!

This month was a surprise trip to Canada for me and a holiday for Mark...

I recently discovered (via excruciating pain in Southeast Asia) that I have significant osteoarthritis in my hip! This was confirmed by a specialist in Hokkaido. In Japan, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 (of 4) arthritis. It became clear, as I had to ask our friend, Nicky, to come and translate, that I needed to get imaging in Canada and get in the queue for a hip. I will save my disappointing experience with the Alberta health care system for another entry.

Mark took this opportunity (way too costly to fly to Canada) to go back to Vietnam for just over a week. His trip finished with a flight down to Kagoshima where he was able to visit an old university friend and his family and we reconnected and flew home to Hokkaido together from Tokyo.

Why Vietnam? I left my VERY expensive second generation airpods in Vietnam and of course they cannot be shipped! Mark figured out that the flight would be the same amount as buying new ones so off to Vietnam he went!! His hotel bill for 8 nights was $300 Canadian! BAA HAA!!

And of course… There are always stories! BOOM, BOOM was offered to my husband often during his stay in Japan. He was confused as nobody offered him any BOOM,BOOM when we were in Vietnam earlier!! He quickly realised that he was a single, middle aged, white male travelling alone and they thought he was a sex tourist!! LOL!! After being accosted on the streets, in bars and outside the restroom, he started to show them his wedding ring - telling them he liked men, did not work, because they assured him they could find that for him too!!

Even though my medical appointments were a disappointment - I did get images of my hip on record and I will follow up when we are back in Alberta in November.

I was also able to do our friend, Nicky, a favour. I was able to take a package to her son in Edmonton. She has done so much for us and it was nice to be able to do a small favour for her.

And of course there was shopping… MAY is after all… my “Birthday Month” There was A LOT of shopping!! Starting back in Sapporo at the beginning of the month with my UGGS - thanks, Marlene!

The shopping continued in Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal - and for those of you who are wondering? Yes - Mark and I are still married!! BAA HAA!

The best part of having to go back to Canada for my hip issues?? See friends and especially FAMILY!!

I spent time with almost everyone that I tried to connect with - so grateful - especially in RMH as it was the May long weekend!

I hung out on the Anderson Couch in Calgary (one of my all time fav places) for the first few days - way too short - like my time everywhere seemed to be!

I am most grateful to have spent Mother’s Day with my lovely mum in Edmonton!!

As it turned out - she was moving into a new lodge - her #1 choice!! I am so thankful I was there to help out as my sister does so much for our mum and there was also the peace of mind that she was going to be okay! I had a fabulous - although hectic - week with my sister and a lovely visit with her boys and their girls. Oh - and Doug - LOL! And the puppies!!

I am also grateful that I did not have to rent a car as people generously offered me wheels in each place I visited. And I only drove on the “wrong” side of the road once!! Having said that - I often put my windshield wipers on when trying to signal!

Lori (and Dick) provided my lodging in RMH with a quick sleepover at the Heap’s thrown in! I got hair (thanks, Jody) and nails (thanks, Vicky) and laughs and hugs all around!! SO BLESSED.

And then…. After 14+ months… I was off to Montreal to see “MY BOYS” So damn grateful - loved every minute of our visits and the city!!

AND - the food… SIGHHHHHH

I had breakfast the first morning in Calgary - Poached Eggs and Bacon - with a side of BACON!! I had “chips and dip” once in Edmonton! I had Old Dutch BBQ Chips (in the box) in RMH…

I had a BLT, Pizza Hut, Domino's Deep Dish… and a Whopper! BBQ steak… (twice), our family fav - Beef Enchilada Casserole (thanks Brayden). And CHI MAC and CUCINA!!

And in Montreal? The best cocktails imaginable and we ate at the FAMOUS Liverpool House!!

Best of all???? I sliced cheddar off a BLOCK of CHEESE!!!!

Looking ahead to a crazy busy month - but that’s okay! It will go by fast and then……. First official visitors from CANADA!!! Kathy and Al!! AND - Colette and Joel (Manitobans) have confirmed they will be chilling with us in May 2024!!

When are the rest of you coming?!