From the Plains Back to the Island for a Re-take…

~ Tickets and Stadium of the Roughriders    6-23-09

So I went to my first ever CFL game in person and it was of course right here in Saskatchewan.  It was a ton of fun, I must admit.  It was a pre-season game so I have yet to see the fire in the fans that we witness on television, but none the less it was a great experience.  It was also nice to see another fan base that is as passionate a fan base as Nebraska.  Granted Nebraska gets 86,000 and there were 29,000+ at the Roughrider game, but still fans were into the game.  I really enjoyed the stadium and it had a wonderful view of the city downtown as well as the open fields of Saskatchewan.  Jen got us great seats and the fans were all very nice.

It was quite the experience to see people that were 18 or 19 drinking at a football game and not being worried that the cops may come and give them a MIP (Minor in Possession).  In the states kids drink before football games, but unless they are 21 they are quiet about it and hide it.  Completely different story in Saskatchewan.  Many people had two beers and were headed back for more as soon as possible.  It was a pretty funny sight and after witnessing their reservation and tact I can honestly say that I see no reason as to why in the states the age is arbitrarily 21.

The only downfall of the whole experience is that we got a ra-tard (see the Hangover, great movie) for an usher.  She/he, not too sure, stated that we just needed to go up the steps and to the right and that was our section with our seats.  Well of course I lead everyone in that direction because I have never been here and assume that the usher knows her/his way around the stadium better than I do.  Low and behold, a group of drunk girls and their boyfriends actually were supposed to sit there.  So we talked to them and others around us and found out we were in the wrong place.  We had to get up and move, but eventually found the seats we were supposed to be in.

All in all, they have a pretty great little set-up with the Roughriders here in Saskatchewan.  They should be very proud of the fanbase and support that is available to them here.  We got to see a bit of action with the starters and then a lot of reserve play.  However, based on what I saw the offense looks really good and the defense has some work to do.  Injuries were already beginning and if the Riders want to have a chance they really need to focus on staying healthy throughout the year.  They played pretty well against the defending champs and without a late fumble I am convinced they would have won the game.  I know pre-season is not about the winning and losing, but it always feels better to win in the end whether it counts or not.  Should be a great year of Husker, Dolphin and Rider football.  I can’t wait!!

~ Document I received coming into Canada

Alright, so you think getting into the US is tough and hard and annoying.  Well, you should try the border protection for Canada at the border of Montana and Saskatchewan.  I know you are going to say well it is just as bad going into the US.  While I do not dispute this, at least you are already aware that it is going to be that way.  When you are coming into Canada all you can think about is how nice and easy it will be.  Granted the first time when I flew it was that easy.  This second time driving however was a bit of a nitemare.  So I was driving up through Montana and the last thirty miles or so there was no traffic on my side of the road.  It appeared everyone was coming into the US not the other way around.  I pulled up to the Canadian border services building and it looked abandoned.  There were four agents in there with no customers so maybe I was a victim or boredom.  Anyway, the following is my best recollection of how the conversation went:

Pull up to the window and roll down my window, the lady opens the window and pops her head out:

Her:  What is your business in Canada?

Me:  I am coming to surprise my fiance’.

Her:  How long are you staying?

Me: Until July 3rd.

Her:  Why so long? Do you not have a job?  Were you part of a recent job cut in the States?

Me:  No, I am studying for a test on July 7th.

Her:  Where is the test?

Me:  Nevis, in the Caribbean.  I go to medical school down there.

Her:  Where did you meet your fiance’, how long have you known her, where did you get engaged?

Me: At school. Since August 2007. We got engaged in Venice.

Her:  What is her full name, address, and phone number?

Me:  Her full name is Jennifer…. and the phone number is 308-…..but I do not know the address in Moose Jaw.

Her:  Go ahead and pull your car up to where that table is and I will be with you in a bit.

So I pull forward and sit and wait.  She is inside either trying to make me nervous or just wasting my gas so that I have to buy some in Canada where it is almost a dollar more a gallon.  I wait so long that I decided to just turn my car off.  Eventually, she comes out and demands that I get an address or else I cannot enter the country.  So I have to get out of my car and walk around the building so that I can get cell phone reception.  I finally get ahold of Jen’s mom and get a land identification number.  Then I head inside the border control office to finish up some paperwork.  These are the questions that she proceeded to ask now:

Have you ever been denied entrance to Canada?  Have you ever been kicked out of Canada? Have you ever been asked to leave Canaada? Are you bringing any gifts? Do you have any booze? Do you have an cigarettes? How much money do you have in your bank account right now? Is that enough to sustain you in Canada until July 3rd? Why do you have so many things in your car? When was the last time you were in Canada? What were you here for at that time? What is your full name?  Where were you born?  May I see your driver’s license to make a copy? Is this your current address in the United States?  When are you getting married?  Where are you getting married?  So you will be heading back up here again then?  Will you be flying or driving?  Does your fiance’ have to take the test as well?  When does she take her test? Where is she taking her test?

All in all, I am sure this lady knows more about my life than I might even know at this point.  One thing about it, if I was lieing I would have been so nervous I for sure would have given away whatever I was hiding.  Many of the questions just threw me off because they were so out of left field.  I never expected to have to tell how much money was in my bank account or where I met Jen.  The first time coming here all the guy told me was to have a good time.  Anyway, that was my experience.  Now on the 3rd I have to return that pink form above on the Canadian side of customs.  That should be interesting.   

~ Jen’s Mom’s Barn @ 5 a.m. June 1st

June is here although you wouldn’t know that up here in Saskatchewan.  It has been freezing still every morning when I wake up.  However, as the day goes on it gets warmer and more comfortable except for the constant blowing of the wind.  I really like Canada out here on the flowing fields and endless horizon.  I could really live here and be perfectly happy. 

June also means that we are only a month and two days away from the re-take of my exam in Nevis.  I have not booked the flight yet, but will soon.  I have completed Biochemistry, Anatomy, Embryology, and Histology review.  I am planning to start Physiology today and hopefully finish it by Tuesday.  Then questions and onward toward the rest of the material I need to review.  I have left the freshest stuff in my head (Pathology) for the end because we had an excellent teacher for that and that way if I do not get to that part I will at least have a fighting chance this time.  I am feeling good having completed more questions this time around and still getting through the same amount of material.  I must say though for those of you that are studying for the Step Exam or even the re-take that USMLEworld can be quite disheartening sometimes with their 50-60% right all the time.  Makes me wonder how smart those people must be that are getting 80-90% (clearing my throat, pointing at Jen without her knowing). 

I am sort of missing home though I must say.  I was enjoying being back in America.  While Canada is great, Nebraska and America is my home and is what I am used to.  It is a different world trying to get used to different cultures.  It took me about 6 of the 22 months to get used to Nevis and then I was back in my comfort zone of the US.  Then poof, I relocate to Canada and have to learn things new all over again.  The biggest example is taking your shoes off.  We have to take them off at the YMCA at the front and leave them on a shoe rack.  I understand in the winter months doing that so that water is not tracked throughout the gym, but in June I am not sure that I understand.  It was a bit different.  Additionally, we had to take our shoes off at the wedding gown place as well.  I guess in Canada it is a good thing that I don’t tie my shoes.  See mom, I told you that skill of mine would come in handy one day : )  All in all, Canada has been a great time and a great place, except for the border crossing, but that is another post.  Additionally, I must add that all the people in Canada have been very nice.  I even met a guy at the YMCA that found out I was American and told me how to solve every problem America is facing especially health care.  : )  I just smiled and let him think that he knew what he was talking about ; )

Well, off to the gym and then the library.  Hope everyone has a great weekend and that border crossing story will be coming soon don’t miss it….

~ Dad unloading his trailor in Utah 5-15-09

I went with my dad on the 14th and 15th of May for some trucking so that he would have some help in making it all the way to Utah after some hard days already put in.  My dad thought it would be the ideal way to finish off the week and it was the least I could do for him to ride along and provide some company and help out where I could.  I found out quickly that there is a lot more to it than just riding down the road and steering the wheel.  You have to shift constantly as the grade of the road changes, you have to monitor and keep an eye on what everyone else is doing.  My dad said while we were driving that it isn’t as easy as it looks and he was right.  He also stated that anyone with a driver’s license should have to drive a truck for a day to get a better appreciation for the power and difficulty that goes into them.  I could not really agree more at this point.

It was a long, long mentally taxing drive.  I met him on the interstate at midnight and we drove all through the night to make the delivery in Utah by 9 the next morning.  We then drove to get some road salt and head back to Nebraska.  However, the delivery was something of magic.  We delivered to a dairy in Utah and let me tell you there is a lot more to it then just opening the bin and letting the feed fall to the ground.  He continually had to bang with a hammer on the bars across the bottom of the hopper because it was stuck in the bin, then had to drive forward and continually move the truck back and forth to jar the feed loose.  Then after most of it was out he had to climb up on the trailor like the picture above and sweep the rest out so that the whole load was off.  I can tell you that I was very impressed with my dad being able to balance on that thin wall of the trailor while sweeping.  There are some well conditioned athletes that wouldn’t be able to do that.

Trucking is a true skill and one that I do not envy.  However, it was nice to get a better appreciation for what my dad does at work everyday.  I just wish everyone else could have that same appreciation.  Next time you see that truck going down the road, just remember that the load may not directly reflect on you or help you, but it might be the key ingredient to the cows that are making the milk you drink everyday or use in your cereal everyday.  I hope everyone starts to give truckers the appreciation they deserve.

Last time I checked, there was not a train track going to any mini mart, or gas station in the US.  Without the American trucker, America would shut down.  Thanks Dad for making this country just a little bit better for each and everyone of us!!

More pics from the trip:

Last but not least, the poop from the feeding area : )  A guy used a skid loader to push all of it out of the feeding area.  It was covered from tire to roof.  Gives a whole new meaning to shitty job:

~ Wedding Bands  Taken April 30th, 2009

So I have not written anything about the upcoming wedding and because of this I decided to reward all of Jen’s friends and family that read on my site with a peak at the wedding bands that we picked out.  I thought it would be a nice peak at what was going on with the wedding on my side.  Plus, I thought I would trump Jen on something for once because she always beats me to the punch with the posts.

Additionally, I wanted everyone’s help in deciding where we should do our honeymoon.  The tough part is that there are constraints to it.  The rules of the game are this:  we can only leave on Monday, the 3rd of August, from Regina and must return to Regina on Thursday due to another wedding that I am in, other than that I am open to any and all ideas.  Thus far, I have thought about Lake Louise in Alberta, Las Vegas, and New York City.  I want something that will be special and fun as well as something unforgettable.  Please bring on the ideas, your help in this critical : ) matter would be greatly appreciated!!

~ Ruby on the Turtle Cage    5-13-09

So everyone has always heard the old addage that curiosity killed the cat.  Well, with Ruby that is the honest to God truth.  If you leave the door open she will sit at the edge of the door letting all the cool air in just so she can better see what is going on in the back yard.  If you print something, she will stick her head in there as far as she can and bat the printer cartridge with her paw.  If you happen to not latch the door when you are going pee she will come in and try to hop in the toilet just to see what you are doing.  If you put greenies in her dish, she hops up on the sink to make sure you are putting them in just right.

She has a chalk board that hangs up just high enough that she can barely reach it.  My parents put dowel rods on it so that she can simply knock them off.  Once they are off she is satisfied.  She will push Herbie and Pepsi as far as she can.  She will chase your foot, hand, or head.  She loves strings on sweatshirts and flowers that Jen sends your mom for Mother’s Day. 

Last, but not least, she will sit on top of the turtle cage and watch Daryl the turtle mill around in his cage for hours.  So far this week she has spent at least an hour a day on the top of that cage.  Yesterday, she was on there so long she feel asleep watching him.  She is really the most curious thing I have ever seen.  The turtle thing though is something that cannot even be described in words.  It is so funny.  She will sit for about 30 minutes just watching, then lay down for 30 minutes just watching and eventually fall asleep for about 30 minutes.  Then she moves onto the next thing that catches her eye.  Quite entertaining when you are sitting at the dining room table right across from her and bored with “So, now” neuro guy on the computer. 

~ Herbie, Ruby, Pepsi on my bed    5-11-09

This was my bed at ten last night after I brushed my teeth.  Apparently I was supposed to sleep on the floor.  They usually sleep with my mom, but for some reason they all decided to come in and lay on my bed.  It is a rare feat to see Pepsi (the brown one) and Ruby (the cat) on the same bed at the same time.  For some reason they really do not seem to get along too well.  Pepsi never growls at her or anything.  She just gets down anytime Ruby is in the area.  Herbie on the other hand will growl and show his teeth anytime the cat starts to get annoying.  It was quite the chore to get into bed, but eventually the cat ended up getting down and as I pushed Pepsi’s butt over so that I could get into bed she decided to get down as well.  So in the end it was Herbie and I for the night.  Just one big happy family!!

~ Taken from Foxnews.com

Okay so I have learned a lot about Canada in the past 24 months.  I always thought that it was a bunch of eskimos up there in the north living in igloos.  Alright, so it wasn’t really that bad, but I sure did not know that Alberta was a Province and I only knew of cities that had sports teams.  I must admit that I was really, really wrong about Canada.  I met a ton of Canadians at school in the Caribbean and I really couldn’t have asked for a better experience.  It taught me a lot about Canada.  I suppose having a fiance’ from there helps as well.  However, just like the United States, Canada has a few bad apples and they seem to be the immigrant population.

Everyone, probably remembers this from awhile back (about a month ago).  I just thought it was far too interesting not to post on here.  The story basically is that Adam Leon steals a plane because he is depressed, flys into US airspace hoping to get shot down.  The US did scramble two F-16 fighter jets to at least check out the situation.  They ordered him to land and he eventually did without incident.  However, that is quite amazing given everything that the US has dealt with on planes.  I have to give a thumbs up to the US government for not shooting him down and allowing him to land in Missouri.  That goes to show that the US government still has hope in people making the right choice even if they made a dumb one to start out with.

Honorable mention for the crazy Canadian award has to go to the Asian guy that took a knife on a greyhound bus and chopped that person’s head off for no reason.  Then proceeding to eat some of the flesh while cops decided what to do.  He doesn’t win the crazy Canadian award because a better name would be psychotic Canadian and I am pretty sure they are few and far between after my visit.  : )

If you are interested you can read the full article here:  http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,512837,00.html