Goodbye Cruel World...

And hello roadtrip.....In 2 hours we are leaving for FSJ! We will leave the land of tropics and dogsled for 18 hours to the great white north. The trip will be treacherous and many lives will be lost....but 4 shall stand victorious (God-willing) in the greatest race of mankind. We call it the "Even More Amazing Race". It will come down to Marchioro & Haab vs the infamous S'toon Haabs. Will Kev&RJ overcome the blisteringly-long flight with the cushy seats or will pressure-sores overcome their ass-ets??? Will the Vancouver Marchioro&Haab duo live to tell the tale of their bravery as they conquer the Mount-de-Coquihalla??? Tune in next week to find out who will win "One million......Christmas presents!!!!"

Just Johanna

Hey all, its Johanna here! One more final to go! Then....freedom.... *sigh. It shall be be nice. My job has been going really well. I work with the sweetest little Asian girls ever! I can now make just about everything on the coffee menu now and I really am liking it. We went to Every Nation's annual Christmas banquet....which was AMAZING...to put it lightly. It was a the Four Season's hotel downtown which is pretty fancy-schmancy and we had a yummy catered meal of "potato and leek soup, young chicken, horseradish whipped potatoes, and the best part: White chocolate caramel cheesecake! Then there was a program by the church choir, and a full-fledged DANCE! It was awesome. This church is seriously so incredible. I love the people. I am attaching a picture of one of my new friends, Kristina (she is such a sweetie)....there will be more pics to follow when we develope our film.
We are heading up to the cold north (FSJ) on the 20th with Corrie and Dave and then going to Frontier on the 26th .Then its off to New Years in Calgary. So I am not sure how much you will be hearing from us in the next bit as we'll be hanging out with the fam, traaaaavelllling, CURLING, and hopefully skidooing! I am hoping to see some of you over the holiday too! Talk to ya soon, Johanna

The much awaited Halloween Pictures. Ben is Afro-man and Johanna is Jelly-Belly girl.

Coffee....coffeeeeeee. COFFEEEEEEE

" I have a job, I have a job, I have a job, I have a joooooobbbbbb!!!" This is Johanna's new song since Friday. And yes, she does in fact have a job! And she isn't shy to remind Ben that she is the official Bread-Winner of the family. But, one day the tables will turn...in a drastic way. For one, we all (including our future children) hope Ben will make more than $8/hour minimum wage and won't have to work at a busy coffee shop. But for now...this is perfect for Johanna. And the extra cash will be nice. And next semester is going to be NUTS....as if it wasn't busy already. UBC and Coffee making skills....should lead to a promising career someday. Ben will be MIA at VFS with DP4 106 learning what the 2nd AC does and how it affects the DOP's decision with the Key SD ....as usual...of course. Der. Life just seems to be getting simpler doesn't it??? At least we can enjoy each others company......when we pass each other by on the side walk on the way to/from school/work. Yes, if you haven't figured it out by now......this whole entry is about getting her first real job (well....one where she doesn't work for family anyways) at Big News Coffee bar at the intersection of Granville and Broadway. Yay... the end.

Vancouver Blizzard 2005

Chilled Vancouver commuters faced their second day of winter hell today, as an additional ¼ centimeter of the peculiar white stuff fell, bringing the lower mainland to its knees and causing millions of dollars worth ofdamage to the marijuana crops. Scientists suspect that the substance issome form of frozen water particles and experts from Saskatchewan arebeing flown in. With temperatures dipping to the almost but not quitenear zero mark, Vancouverites were warned to double insulate their lattesbefore venturing out.Vancouver police recommended that people stay inside except foremergencies, such as running out of espresso or biscotti to see them through Vancouver's most terrible storm to date. The local Canadian Tirereported that they had completely sold out of fur-lined sandals.Drivers were cautioned to put their convertible tops up, and several have been shocked to learn that their SUV's actually have four wheel drive, although most have no idea how to use it. Weary commuters faced soggy sushi, and the threat of frozen breastimplants. Although Dr. John Blatherwick, of the Coastal Health Authority reassured everyone that most breast implants were perfectly safe to 25 below, down-filled bras are flying off the shelves at Mountain Equipment Co-op."The government has to do something," snarled an angry Trevor Warburton. "Ididn't pay $540,000 for my one bedroom condo so I could sit around and betreated like someone from Toronto."