Category: East Coast Culture

THE GREAT WALL

1700 Years to Build. 5500 Miles Long. What Were They Trying to Keep Out?

It’s FINALLY in theatres here in Canada. It was released December 16 in China and I have been waiting patiently…


THE GREAT WALL

I have been wanting to see this movie. There were advertisements and displays for it everywhere when we were in China before Christmas. It was released there December 16 and now 2 months later it’s out here in Canada.

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I’m not a movie person. I rarely go to the theatre. BUT this one…I  just had to go see!

And to start our “Great Wall Adventure”…we had dinner at the Great Wall Restaurant in downtown Halifax.

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And then to the movies…

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I was so looking forward to this and even googled to see what section of the Great Wall this movie was depicting…haha…I laughed. Oh…China!  It was actually filmed at a giant film studio in Qingdao. I have seen such studios when I lived there and this information really didn’t surprise me.

Considering The Great Wall is a film about China, audiences around the world won’t be too surprised to find out that it was actually shot there too. However, no real-life locations were actually used.

Unable to shoot on the actual Great Wall of China for the obvious reason that it’s one of the greatest wonders of the world, Zhang’s colossal team of designers built two walls in a giant film studio complex in Qingdao — one was a low wall, while the other a high one. With the entire set stretching to well over 200 metres, both were placed in front of one of the largest green screen ever used in the film industry.

According to the director, even Matt Damon was impressed when he first set eyes on the structure: 

“Matt Damon said it was the biggest green screen he’d ever seen and I think it’s the biggest green screen ever assembled in the world.”

Well the movie wasn’t what I had hoped for or expected ( based on one legend about the great wall) but it was a fun day and David’s older brother and his wife went with us for our “Great Wall Adventure Day” so that was fun to spend time with them and get our plans together for our upcoming cruise together in a couple weeks.

Hope you are having a great weekend.

Spring Break for James Feb 17

Midterms done! Tax sale done! NOW…a much needed break from school and taking a week’s vacation from work at Queen’s Municipality before tax season is in full swing. Where to go? That was James’ question when he was planning a vacation.

Tonight David & I saw him off at the airport!

Where is he going?

This is his itinerary! I am so jealous. I know he will have a wonderful time and take some awesome pics!!

James spent the last month deciding where he wanted to travel for a little break away…He LOVES adventure and has been to some pretty great places. He’s going by himself, but that’s James…he started traveling by himself at 15. He’ll fly to London and then take some flights, and buses and trains, stay in hotels and hostels and visit some interesting countries, cities and towns.

Have a wonderful time James, take lots of pictures and remember to check in with your Mama once and while…BUT then I don’t have to tell you that! 😀

 

 

Another day…

Some things in life are tough! Like yesterday saying goodbye to my Uncle. It was  his funeral yesterday, postponed a few days because of all the snow we’ve been getting. AND believe it or not another snowstorm today!

Yesterday however was a break, a calm before the next storm. A better day to have to travel back to North River to say goodbye. I gave the Eulogy at my Uncle’s funeral. Sweet remembrances that my Father and Auntie had, and some of my own, that I was able to share with the many people that were there to pay their last respects and show my Auntie how much he was loved. He was a special man to many people and all who knew him will miss him!!!

Today is a new day! ANOTHER snowstorm!!! Another day off school!!!! Another day to shovel out!!!!

I am so thankful for my husband who generally looks after all of the snow clean up. I help a bit, but this past week my mind is elsewhere… I am thankful for snowblowers! If we had to do all this by shovel…yikes!!!! And I am so thankful for those who work VERY long hours at the DOT, cleaning our roads.

Today it is blowing and snowing outside and I think I’m just gonna relax and stay cozy in my PJ’s with a great cup of coffee…at least for a little while…

Have a good day!

PS. This pic popped up on my newsfeed…4 years ago today!! Now I only have to wait 13 days until I am back in Miami for a little warmth and sunshine!!!

National Flag Day

February 15th is National Flag Day!

Fly your Flag proudly as a reminder of our country’s history.

I am a proud Canadian and love to take my Canadian Flag wherever I go… like our last trip to China in December

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but now I can’t find it to be able to fly it on my flag pole today. Hmm…So I put up the small one inside.

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Canada is celebrating 150 years this years so it’s even more important to take them time to celebrate these simple things!

 

Soaking up some sun

I’m not the only one that NEEDS their Vitamin Sea  C. Someone else likes soaking up the sun.

This winter hadn’t been too bad…then…FEBRUARY! It’s the Snow month!!

Snowstorm on Thursday and NOW another BIGGER one again tonight… Yes, I live in the red area…60 cm. Yikes!!!

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE living in a place where we can enjoy all the seasons. But I do crave sunshine and blue skies. That’s why I take a few vitamins and eat lots of tropical fruit in the winter.

And usually plan a little getaway…

Ahh…

What helps get you through the “COLD & SNOW” months? Or is Winter your favourite season?

Wishing you a great week ahead!

 

 

It’s a Nor’easter!

Nor’easters form along the East coast as warm air from over the Atlantic Ocean clashes with arctic cold to the north and west. They thrive on converging air masses—the cold polar air mass and the warmer air over the water—and are more severe in winter when the difference in temperature between these air masses is greater.

A Nor’easter gets its name from the northeasterly winds that blow in from the ocean ahead of the storm. Nor’easters can occur at any time throughout the year, but they are most common between the months of September through April and are usually accompanied by very heavy rain or snow. They can cause severe coastal flooding, erosion and hurricane force winds and blizzard conditions. Nor’easters are usually most intense during winter in the Canadian Maritime provinces as well as the Mid-Atlantic and New England United States.

It started snowing last night at 6pm and snowed and blowed all night! Yep, textbook Nor’easter here in the Maritimes. David did most of the “digging out” early this morning before he went to work and James finished later.

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Now, It’s just your textbook February snowy day on the East Coast of Canada!

Photo courtesy of Town Of Bridgewater
Photo from Town Hall overlooking the LaHave River courtesy of Town Of Bridgewater

Another one is expected on Monday. Yep…February is “snow month”

It just keep going around and around…

I think my immune level MUST be low. I am picking up whatever is going… Last week David had a bad cold. Congestion, stuffiness and all that CRUD!! yuck!!

Saturday morning I woke up with that CRUD! Yuck! I can’t be sick again!

This has actually been a great winter for the most part. Different people you talk to say there isn’t the doom and gloom depressing feeling that is usually there in January. I agree!! It’s been great! I have been working on projects, getting them ticked off my list,  and the month of January is flying by….except for everyone you talk to has either been sick with the cold congestion stuff or the flu bug and sick to their stomach. Gee, I will take the cold over stomach flu any day but it’s not fun…I just feel miserable and achy, can’t breath, it affects my “dizzy situation” and I lose my appetite.

My sweet son made me a “tonic” last night! Ginger, Turmeric. cloves, cinnamon, lemon, honey and a bit of Chaga… who knows what else he threw in it!

img_5692It felt nice on my sore throat.

Here’s hoping to a healthy week ahead. Temperature a re a bit milder this morning, I may have to open the windows to chase out the germs. lol

Have a great week friends!