...bloody brilliant...

Fantastic.

As if it wasn't going to be enough of a challenge to try to fit a year's worth of stuff into two relatively small suitcases, I'm now not allowed to take any carry-on baggage with me on either of my flights. Yep. That means no laptop, no ipod (not that I actually have one...), and unequivocably no toiletries or anything that contains a moderate percentage of water. It's a wonder I'm allowed on the plane (what with humans being 85% water or some such business). Honestly. Considerately, I'm allowed to carry with me my wallet, ticket, boarding pass, passport, and feminine products if I feel the need. But only if they're in a "clear carrying case" (read: plastic bag). Perscription drugs are allowed but only if they bear labels with the same name as your passport. Non-prescription drugs like Advil are out. Looks like I'm going to be smuggling in my gravol...brilliant.

"Anything to declare, Miss?"
"Not unless you count the three gravol tablets in my bra."

Sweet.

...Leaving Halifax...

Well, it looks like this is it, folks. I've packed (and re-packed) my bags and I'm ready to go. And by go, I mean leave Halifax. I'm sort of on a staggered departure program. First I leave Halifax, then I drive to Ontario with my sister and bro-in-law, then I leave Ottawa. After I leave Ottawa, I drive to Toronto. Inevitably, I also leave Toronto (incidentally on August 16th) for London, UK. And once I'm in London, I end up leaving there as well...for Sierra Leone.

So much hugging.

...hanging on...

Ok, so the way that I can tell that I have just about lost my sanity and any organizational skills I have, is the fact that when I showered this morning I only ended up shaving one leg. I realised this when I was sitting on the floor of a behemoth cargo van after my friends Karen and Caroline had helped me move my apartment into storage at another friend's home. Shortly after I discovered that I was a one-hairy-legged-wonder, I also ended up covered in a Timmy's Ice Cappuccino after I spilled it going around a corner in the enormous van. I'm sticky now. And I think I'm going to have another shower.

Yes, I'm going to try to shave the other leg.

...a new adventure, a new address...

Just wanted to let you know that the tales of my adventures in Sierra Leone will be found at emilyinsalone. I've posted the first entry with lots of fancy-shmancy links. Fine. Maybe they're not fancy-shmancy, but I just figured out how to do them. So there.

At any rate, I won't be posting much on this site while I'm gone. I'm opting for one page that everyone can read to keep it simple for me while I'm away. Check me out there...trust me, it'll be worth the adjustment in your bookmarks.

You should get an email about the change sometimes in the near future.

In other news, I've been playing tour guide this week when Dale came to visit. We had a great time walking all over Halifax, seeing the sights and eating the food. It was hard to see him go at the end of the week.

This past Saturday night, my church here (The Agora) had the summer season of their quarterly coffee house, SEED. Saturday saw 118 people in attendance, it was hot! Literally. The theme was 'fish' and so the church was decorated accordingly. Dale and I helped to set up and decorate on Friday night. I made a huge purple fish that went over a light and hung from the ceiling out of chicken wire, tissue paper and glue. At the end of the night on Saturday, the fish lights were auctioned off. Mine was given the highest bid and sold for $27. Behold, photos of tissue paper and glue worth $27. Who wudda thunk.

I know, it's seriously hideous fish!! I can't believe someone paid money for it!

My good friend Lindsay is heading my way this coming weekend for a week on the East Coast. We'll be renting a car and heading to PEI! That's right....Anne of Green Gables here we come! I can't wait. Every Christmas my sister, Natasha and I would watch the TVO specials of "Anne of Green Gables" and "Anne of Green Gables: The Sequel." I had a crush on Gilbert Blythe, of course. What a hottie.

My sister and bro-in-law, John, are coming to visit on the August long weekend, and then we're driving back to Ottawa on the 7th. Should be an adventure. I'll be in Toronto after that packing and spending some time with my family before I take off....

To Africa.

In case you haven't been paying attention, that's where I'll be come August 18th.

Yeah, I'm freaking out, too.

What was I thinking???

...my life in a comic...

Oh gosh. Too funny.

Enough said.

...the frogs are attacking! the frogs are attacking!...

Have you ever had the experience of being in a crowd of people, but feeling completely detached? I had that feeling last night, when I went down to the Harbour to watch the fireworks for Canada day. I was supposed to meet up with a friend, but I couldn't find her amid the masses. I'd walked all the way down to the Harbour and I didn't want to turn around and walk right home again, so I decided I should stick around and wander the Pier for a few hours until the sky burst into spectacle before me. I felt like I was floating around in a sea of activity while everyone around me was swimming on past. It was bizzare.

As the evening wore on, the boardwalk became more and more crowded. It wasn't just your ordinary crowd though. Seems that fireworks displays and harbour sights draw mainly couples and families with young children. So let's picture it here, friends...little Emily, surrounded by cutesy-wootsy couples and families with small children inquiring every two to three minutes, "when are they starting, Daddy? Are they starting now? How much longer?..." Yep. I was pretty pathetic. Don't worry, I cheered myself up by going to get two scoops of specialty gelato (blackcurrent and passionfruit, if you have to ask) and a large tea (orange pekoe, of course!). In the end, I picked a pretty crappy place to see the spectacular sky-show, but I suppose I gained a great feeling of independence. Plus also a little pathetic-ness. But that was just a bonus.

On the plus side, when I get back to Halifax, I have an inside scoop on the hot places to catch the fireworks...we should go. (please, don't make me go alone again!)

Only 2 years away! July 1, 2008. Halifax Harbour. (mark your calendars people.)

Woot.

...Alexander Keith (the lager, the legend)...

It's been a few weeks since Kyla was in town, and I've been lazy about updating my blog. But I know you've all been waiting for the excitement that was the Keith's Brewery Tour.Let me tell you, it's worth the $13.50 (or $14.60 if you're a CAA member). We're talking drama, history, and beer all together in one place. What's not to love? From my point of view, it's almost like paradise.

The tour takes place in the historic Keith's Properties, steps away from the Halifax Harbour (handy for rolling those kegs onto ships and hauling in the hops...)

This picture is actually taken inside even though it looks like it's outside. Nifty.

This guy gave us part of the guided tour...
there were 4 actors in total, they sang, they danced...they were great.

Here I am grinding some barley. Or hops. Whatever.

Kyla looks like a natural holding this beaker of half-brewed beer!

And just when you thought it couldn't get any better,
we were kindly reminded not to trot our horses in the pub...
so that's what they called it back then!

And finally, there was of course, BEER.
Also of note, was the old time pub game we played...I think it was like blackjack.
Whatever it was...I won. Because I'm a winner. Duh.

In other news, today is Canada day! Another historical celebration, marking the creation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867. Also associated with beer. And fireworks. Happy Canada day, friends. Enjoy the perfect weather.