Update: Not Springtime Yet!

So... shortly after writing my last post (about six hours later, to be exact), we got another four to six inches of snow! Yep, Ben, Bosco and I took an afternoon hike in sunny and decent weather, and immediately after we got home, the sky went dark and down came the snow! It has been snowing off and on all week, with heavy winds and no signs of clearing up.

All I can say is, our trip to Mexico in 10 days could not have been better timed! I am beginning to think that anybody who willingly stays in this sort of climate for the long-term must be a bit of a masochist!

Has Spring Sprung?

I know it's early to get up my hopes, and we will no doubt have several more bouts of cold weather before spring really settles in, but these past few days have been lovely in Calgary! Those who are friends of mine on Facebook may have already seen some of the photos from my walk through Prince's Island Park in downtown Calgary on Wednesday: snow was evaporating, clearing the walking paths little by little, the frozen river was melting and birds were chirping.

By yesterday, it had warmed up to around 50 Fahrenheit with full-force sun, so I embarked on a walk with Bosco at yet another of Calgary's many parks. I got hopelessly lost but could have cared less - a few hours in the warm sun is something I'll never take for granted again! We even enjoyed beers on a heat-lamped patio into the evening hours before it finally got too chilly to stay outdoors.

Almu, Ben and I had a relaxing night, as you can probably tell from the pics below, and now Ben and I are excited to go explore another park today!

Friends!

I had the best weekend in Atlanta, where I was lucky enough to be able to meet up with my best girlfriends from UT Knoxville. It's been a while since we managed a trip that was not centered around a wedding or other major event, so it felt like there were years' worth of things to catch up on! I don't think the four of us stopped talking for more than a few hours to sleep both nights - literally - we were up until 6am Friday and Saturday! It was cathartic and wonderful to have all that quality time with some of the people who know me better (and for longer) than almost anybody!

I feel so lucky to have as many close friends and family as I do, not to mention my amazing man who backs up my need for girls' time - a gal couldn't ask for more in life! Now I'm excited to see my Nashville folk when we finally come home for a visit in June.

In local Calgary news, I think the city is trying its hardest to give us a taste of spring: days are getting longer, with daylight until almost 8pm now, the sun is shining and the temperature is nudging up above the freezing point this week. By Canada standards, I think this is as spring-like as March gets.

One hazard of spring is that with the fluctuating temps, snow is constantly melting, forming rivers where the sidewalk should be, and then re-freezing into treacherous ice patches! I know this from experience - today I went, to use a Canadian expression, "ass over tea-kettle" on the ice, meaning I went head over heels and landed flat on my back - ouch! Luckily I didn't sustain any major injuries, but Bosco definitely got a scare when I was suddenly down at his level. I guess it's all just a normal part of life for Canucks!

Calgary and Me: An Old Married Couple?

I think it's safe to say that my honeymoon period with Calgary has ended, just as I knew it eventually would. Don't get me wrong - there's a lot that I love about this city: kind people, walk-ability, a good farmer's market and restaurants, our lively neighborhood, and most of all - proximity to the amazing Rockies. But as time goes on it's only natural to find flaws alongside the perks.

What has essentially brought such an abrupt end to the honeymoon phase is - you guessed it - the weather! As my body clock is gearing up for spring (it is March, after all), Calgary instead has brought more snow and gut-wrenching temps to the tune of -24 to -17 Celsius. What I wouldn't give for a good thunderstorm! Calgary is very arid and is almost considered to have a desert-like climate. Which means that since moving here, I have not seen rain - only snow!! Since October 6th, the day we arrived, it has rained twice. Both times were overnight, with little sign of the shower by morning. My emotions seem to so closely follow the weather that this lack of rain leaves me feeling a bit stifled. There is something so refreshing about a great downpour!

Aside from the weather, I've recently learned that although health care is fully covered by the Albertan government, the system is far from perfect. Our friend tore the ligament in her knee while skiing a few weeks ago, and is still in the process of getting a proper evaluation. I've been told that for my annual physical in August, I should start calling for an appointment now. The only way to get in with a doctor is by getting insider information about which doctors are new to town and would therefore be taking patients. Since doctors are paid by the appointment, apparently it is also common that they'll require you to schedule separate appointments if you wish to discuss more than one issue. Nutty! Of course no place is perfect. Calgary has tons to offer, just as long as we are young and healthy!

Aside from the minor frustrations that are coming to light, this is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I'll always treasure, so we are making due by continuing to ski and get outdoors when it's bearable, watching lots of movies, and enjoying dinner parties and wine with the great friends we've made up here. I'll leave you with a photos from last weekend's party at Almu's place, complete with a cut-throat game of Cranium, and from our weekend ski get-away to Banff two weeks ago, which was a really fun (and gorgeous) two days!