Return to Canada

The trip to Canada was long as the airplane flight from Hong Kong to Vancouver was over 14 hours long. Moon was thrilled at the fact that she never been off the Asia Continent so it was nice to see her joyful face as she looks into the unknown.

Arriving into Vancouver was pleasant for me as it was like my second home. I been flying for a long time so the Vancouver Airport has become a common place for me to pass through. The buildings, the Queen Charlotte Island architecture, and the fresh brew of Starbucks fills the atmosphere. For Moon, it was like another world to her as the speed of life, industrialization and the sounds of english language greeted her as she stepped off the Cathay Pacific 747.

Meeting the Canadian Immigration officer was an interesting story and nervous threat to our welcoming into Canada. I made the mistake of adding Moon to my arrival immigration card as I thought she can be labeled on the same card as we are staying together in the same household in Calgary. Officer Chris (remembered from the name tag) drilled us with questions in a direct rude like matter:

1. "Where are you from sir?"
2. "Where are you from Madam?"
3. "What are you guys doing here?"
4. "How did you guys meet?"
5. "How long are you planning to stay in Canada?"

After dealing with these questions, I quietly let Moon know that they are just doing their job and they are SOOOO much more nicer than their American Counterparts.

After our quick 1.5 hour flight from Vancouver to Calgary, we had to wait for about 45 minutes until my mother arrived at the Airport. When I saw her, I began to cry as I have not seen her for years. The last time I went to Canada was in July of 2005 which makes it almost 1 1/2 years since I step in my own country. Such a long time indeed! We cried for a long time and eventually Moon and my mother's best friend joined us for a 4 way welcoming greeting hug!

It's so nice to be home again...

Coming Home...

After many struggles in the last month, being sick, short staffed, stressed, I finally convince my boss that I really needed a break from work and return home to Canada.

It has been long over due with me missing many milestones and dates of friends, family and loved ones.

The excitement has not hit me yet but deep inside it's sure nice to know that I am going home...

The Crocodile Hunter became hunted...

Crikey!!

The naturalist worked to protect Australian wildlife

Australian environmentalist and television personality Steve Irwin has died during a diving accident.

Mr Irwin, 44, was killed by a stingray barb to the chest while he was filming an underwater documentary in Queensland's Great Barrier Reef.

Paramedics from the nearby city of Cairns rushed to treat him at the scene but were unable to save him.

Mr Irwin was known for his television show The Crocodile Hunter and his work with native Australian wildlife.

Police in Queensland confirmed the naturalist's death and said his family had been notified. Mr Irwin was married with two young children.

"It is believed that Mr Irwin collapsed after being stung by a stingray at Batt Reef off Port Douglas at about 11:00 am (0100 GMT)," a police statement quoted by AFP news agency said.

"His crew called for medical treatment and the Queensland medical helicopter responded, however Mr Irwin had died."

Documentaries

Mr Irwin had built up what was a small reptile park in Queensland into what is now Australia Zoo, a major centre for Australian wildlife.

Mr Irwin's documentaries were shown around the world

He was famous for handling dangerous creatures such as crocodiles, snakes and spiders, and his documentaries on his work with crocodiles drew a worldwide audience.

But he also courted controversy with a series of stunts.

He sparked outrage across Australia after cradling his one-month-old son a metre away from the reptile during a show at Australia Zoo.

A probe was also launched to investigate whether Mr Irwin and his team interacted too closely with penguins and whales while filming in the Antarctic, but no action was taken.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer praised Mr Irwin for his work to promote Australia.

"The minister knew him, was fond of him and was very, very appreciative of all the work he'd done to promote Australia overseas," Mr Downer's spokesman said.

Article from BBC International News...