Thursday 1 October 2015

Election 42: A Voter’s Guide



The next Canadian General Election is happening on October 19, 2015. Are you ready?

It’s not that difficult but it is important. First thing, make sure you are registered to vote with Elections Canada. You can visit their website or call them. (http://www.elections.ca/ or 1-800-463-6868) Because I had moved since the previous election and have a wonky country address I had to call in. It didn’t take long at all.

We knew that we would be out of our riding at the time of the election so my husband and I cast our vote in advance. There are a variety of reasons that one can vote early. This was very simple. We just went to our region’s Elections Canada office and filled out a short form and voted!

Are you registered now? Good! Now, whom to vote for…

There are a variety of quizzes that you can do online that will try to tell you which party you might side with but I don’t really trust any of them. The very popular “I Side With” site seemed to claim everyone should vote Liberal regardless of your actual affiliations. CBC uses “Vote Compass” which might be better but still that’s not the best way to decide whom you will vote for. Everyone should do a little research. Find out what the various parties core values are and try to get to know your local candidates. (You can find that list at Elections Canada or on the various party websites.)

There are many theories on how to vote. Different strategies, be loyal to a party or decide based on the actual candidates… And these methods can change depending on the current political climate. How you choose to vote is your business.

I was going to provide a brief summary of some of the major policies for the various parties but it looks like that’s not going to be as easy as I had hoped. Pretty much all of their websites are terrible. Very flashy and piles of information all over the place. You’ll have to wade through on your own… Sorry.

Slogan: “Proven leadership for a strong Canada”

Slogan: "A Canada That Works. Together."

Slogan: "Real Change."

Slogan: "Ready for Change."

In case you’re a nerd like me and would like a better understanding of how our voting system works, here is an interesting video talking about “First Past the Post”:


Thankfully we haven't devolved into only two parties but for the longest time it seemed like we were. I keep hearing people say they will vote for a party they don't necessarily want to win but rather has the best chance of winning over a party they really don't want to see form the government. It's tricky. 

Vote early and vote often! Just kidding. You only get one vote. Make it count.

Thursday 30 April 2015

Z is for Zebra Shoes

For the sake of this blog challenge, I now refer to these as my zebra shoes.

Yay! We did it! Congrats everyone!

Tuesday 28 April 2015

X is for X

There is an "X" in this drawing we did today. My work is fun some days. That's all I got.

Saturday 25 April 2015

V is for Veni Vidi Vici

I came, I saw, I conquered. This was the first of nearly a dozen trips to Manila where I felt I really enjoyed the whole experience. Likely because we stayed with Canadian friends that totally took care of us.

Friday 24 April 2015

U is for Unplanned and Unprecedented

This whole trip we just happened to be in the right place at the right time. Holy week and Easter weekend at an Anglican church, the princess's 60th in Thailand, 30th birthday party of a friend, a Ceilidh and now a live production of "Into the Woods" at one of our NGO's partner schools. I can't wait to see what unplanned thing happens next week!

Thursday 23 April 2015

T is for Towers and Traffic

Towers and traffic. This is Manila. Technically this photo is of Ortigas centre. Same same.

Wednesday 22 April 2015

S is for Sandwiches on a Plane

We got sandwiches for take away from the same place as the pasta yesterday. Beats paying for crappy airline food.

Monday 20 April 2015

Q is for Quest for the Black Pearl

My mom has been super supportive of me working for an NGO so when she gives me a wish list of items to bring back from my travels I relish the quest to check them all off. 
The last item was checked off today when I found the black pearl earrings she wanted to match the necklace she got from this same kiosk over two years ago.

Saturday 18 April 2015

P is for Party

It's a Ceilidh! (Pronounced 'kay lee') We just happened to be around during an Irish - Scottish dance party. My first one and it's in the Philippines. There is much craziness. The live band is great. Lots of merriment making. :)

Friday 17 April 2015

O is for Open Office

Not Open Office the software but being able to open up the windows to the fresh air. Can't do that in Winnipeg most of the year!

Thursday 16 April 2015

N is for Noodles

Noodles at the company potluck.

Did lots of other fun things today but N. C'est la vie. Looking forward to Saturday. P will be better. Promise. Pun intended. Double pun.

Wednesday 15 April 2015

M is for Miller time

Not the beer. The family. We have friends here that are fellow Canadians and we enjoy spending time with them.

I forgot to take any pictures today when we were out and about so here is a mango...

Tuesday 14 April 2015

L is for Love

L is for lots of things! Some letters are easier than others. Today has been filled with the people, places and things we love in Davao.

We had lunch at the Banana Leaf at SM Lanang. Then we went for a luxurious massage in the afternoon. The evening ends with dinner at our favourite restaurant in town (Bon Apetit) that is run by a lovely couple, where we dined with beloved friends.

And then there was this mesmerising mechanical lion.

Monday 13 April 2015

K is for Kaon

Kaon is Cebuano for food. Today was our friend's 30th birthday so we got to celebrate with him! I had a personal pan paella. That crab was about 2-3 inches across. There was chocolate cake and halo-halo for dessert.

Friday 10 April 2015

I is for Island life

Palm trees every where. Hot, humid weather. Fresh tropical fruit. And right now, 2 days with no running water. You win some, you lose some. :)

Btw, that's an Air Asia plane over my shoulder.

Thursday 9 April 2015

H is for Holiday

Happy Day of Valour Philippines! Happy Vimy Ridge Day Canada!

This explains why there is no one else in the office today. True story.

Wednesday 8 April 2015

G is for Giving back with Gourmet burgers

You know it is a gourmet burger when they ask how you would like your patty done. Besides serving delicious food, "Burger Chef" in Davao donates money to a food bank in a nearby town. It's win-win!

Tuesday 7 April 2015

F is for Filipino traffic

Jeepneys are super Filipino! As is the kind of traffic we were in today.

Monday 6 April 2015

E is for Easter?

The Philippines is a predominantly Catholic country and they LOOOOOOOOOVE Christmas like nobody's business. So I was planning to grab a fun Easter shot for today. This is the closest sign of the holiday I've seen so far.

Friday 3 April 2015

D is for DQ Something Different (and dog)

Mango and sticky rice is my favourite Thai dessert. Dairy Queen has a mango and sticky rice sundae. Done.

Bonus D: a dog embarrassed to be wear a shirt and trousers.

C is for Christ Church

It is Good Friday so here we are at Christ Church in Bangkok.

Thursday 2 April 2015

B is for Butterfly Pea

B is for Butterfly Pea tea. Or juice. It's a flower but it got me thinking... Do butterflies pee? I Googled it. You should too. It will change a small, little part of your life.

Wednesday 1 April 2015

Sunday 22 March 2015

A to Z 2015 Theme Reveal

Greetings from Asia!

This blogging challenge was totally off my radar until about last week. I've really enjoyed them in the past but was thinking this year would be too much for me. I've only posted one blog since last year's challenge.

So here's the deal... I might not make it. Usually I schedule all my posts and put a lot of effort into them. This year we're making it up as we go! I happen to be on a business trip in Thailand and the Philippines for the month of April so my "theme" is live mobile uploads. 

That doesn't sound like much of a theme but I'll do the best I can to post something interesting and alphabetical every day. I have no idea where this will go. Also, I'll be posting in the timezone of my location which will be GMT+6 and GMT+7 instead of my home at GMT-6.

Allonz-y!