Indelible Adventures: Moving parts

Take a moment to check out the updated Indelible Adventures website and store. As well, here are a variety of links to my social media if you'd like to follow me or "like" my work.

Facebook - Google+ - Twitter - Instagram - LinkedIn - ImageBrief - National Geographic

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now that Zach and Sami are getting older our collective lives are changing. As you know Zach studied at Georgetown University over the summer and this week his course is done and he’ll be coming. It will be great to see him and hear about his adventures of living in residence at Georgetown, and I must admit I’ve missed him and it’ll be fantastic to have him home again. I know this is preparing him for university, which is amazing and scary all at the same time. Strangely him leaving home for University is that far off …wow, but where did the time go???

In past years both Zach and Sami have gone to sleep away camp for either a month or two over the summer and have been doing so since they were quite young. Camp has been fantastic for them, building their independence and confidence as individuals and its been obvious in that every year after they come home they seem much more mature and grown up. There have been so many amazing benefits from sending them to camp and not only their outlook on life and the world but also the interaction and friendships that they’ve forged with kids from across North America and indeed the world.

Plus, I think it’s almost impossible not to have a fabulous time when you’re sounded by a National Park and everywhere you look has a postcard view – yeah, tough life! J This would have been Zach’s tenth year at camp and Sami’s eighth.

Out with the old and in with the new!

With Zach studying at summer school and Sami staying in town to train and play soccer everyday at her day camp and academy it’s been quite an adjustment for us all.

Monday was the long weekend here in Canada, and Sami got a call up to play in an U21 exhibition game for her academy team. She was very unlucky not to score a goal within the first minute of play, and only by the grace of an amazing great from their goalie kept her off the scoreboard. She’s really improved and matured in terms of soccer skills at the academy over the last year and has played a couple of U21 league 1 games so far this season. The best part is the incredible coaching she’s receiving from Laza and the coaching staff at the academy.

Zach arrives at the airport at 8:30 pm on Saturday night, and then I have to have Sami back at the airport at 3:45 am Sunday morning for her team’s flight to Florida. As I mentioned in an earlier blog she’s competing in the Maccabi Games representing Toronto for Girls Soccer.

Quite an early start as we’ll need to leave home at 3:15 am. However, the fun doesn’t stop there, oh no, I’m on the same flight the next morning so it will be two mornings in a row of being at the airport excessively early. Can you say oi vey mate!? J

Next week all of the girls are being billeted with host families during their stay in South Florida, so I’ll really only get to see her from the grandstands or perhaps for a brief minute to say hi to after the games - only if I’m lucky enough to get her attention.

The majority of my week will be split between being a spectator and cameraman at the stadium, and freelance photographer, as I’ll have most of my afternoons free to explore. I’m thinking South Beach and along the coast should provide me with some spectacular subject matter…as only Florida can!

In addition to the kids summer and the changing patterns, mine also has had to adapt and change as a result. This time last year, with both kids at camp I embarked on my trip to Hong Kong and Vietnam. In fact, this time last year my blog was from Vietnam’s central coast where I’d just spent time exploring the ancient Imperial city of Hue and Hoi An which by the way is a World Heritage site.

I truly fell in love with the people and the pace of life in rural Vietnam. The locals were so welcoming and friendly and although they don’t have much English, and I have no Vietnamese we seemed to get along just fine.

So this year my summer vacation has been pushed to the first two weeks of September after the kids go back to school. I’m sure you’re all wondering where I’m headed this year? Seriously you don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that Italy is my second or third home after Canada and Australia, so the plan is to spend two weeks enjoying “la dolce vita” (the sweet life!) in San Giovanni (near Bellagio) on Lake Como, a few days in Venice (camera please), the four days in Florence/Tuscany before ending in Milan.

Clearly some must do’s…let’s see…

Taking the slow ferry across Lake Como

Hiking to Villa del Balbianello from Lecco

Shirt shopping at my shirt maker

Checking out the latest Italian fashions in Milan

Dropping by Enzo & Sarah’s restaurant in Cortona for a fabulous family lunch

Gelato in the afternoons

Red wine late in the day

Spaghetti Vongole at sunset overlooking the ocean

Exploring everyday and following my curiosity

Wow, I just realized that my list is endless when it comes to Italy… J

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

“Hanoi Posting”

A series of micro-stories by Terence Wallis

Episode 5: The Look

Bill knew the one thing that could take the edge off and get him back on an even keel. Her name was Mai, or "Hanoi Rose" as she was more commonly referred to by his newly acquired expat acquaintances.

He smiled to himself as his mind drifted back to the cocktail party at the French embassy soon after he’d arrived. He remembered how awkward he felt the first time he attended one of these rather formal functions and recalled how he’d been stuck in another mindless conversation with the wife of a Belgian diplomate when distractedly glancing around the room noticed the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen float through the arches into the grand ballroom. All he could do was to drink in her image as she smiled and chatted amiably with the entourage of men that followed her into the room, there was something very special about her aura. What a strange thing to think about someone he'd never even met he thought to himself.

He couldn't take his eyes from her, she was bedecked in a magnificent long turquoise gown with high collar and was the epitome of the beauty and grace as she immediately drew in all those around her. He was smitten from the moment he laid eyes on her. Having to tear his gaze from her he now excused himself and went in search of another scotch and perhaps some fresh air.

Holy shit he said to himself under his breath as he strode toward the bar

Minutes later finding himself leaning against the bar he felt a hand slide along his thigh and rest on the cheek of his ass. He flung around only to find her standing there with a smile that could melt an iceberg.

Bill was dumbstruck, and for the first time in his life words failed him...

Next week: Episode 6: Adrift

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This weeks photos are from a photo shoot this past weekend taken at the Scarborough Bluffs and Rouge River - enjoy!