Hockey gloves...

So, my wonderful fiancee's parents (and my future parents) bought me these awesome hockey gloves for christmas. They're Bauer, and they're black and orange, which perfectly matches the Steelers jersey. I like them so much that I'm going to do everything in them from now on. So, let's see how I get on with this blog. If I don't manage to type it correctly before then, have a happy new year, guys...

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Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

So, it's Boxing Day. That means yesterday was Christmas Day. As most of you know, I've been in Canada for a week now, and I'm spending the season with Bethany and her family. One of the things I was looking forward to most was the idea of a white Christmas. Beacause England isn't known for its snowy scenes, Toronto was a much more promising location for this festive fantasy, and I was very pleased when I arrived to find that there was a good deal of the cold, white stuff already on the ground.

Unfortunately, by Christmas eve, it was raining, and the temperature was above freezing. The snow was melting, and it was all rather annoying. Just before Bethany and I went to bed on Christmas eve, we prayed a slightly childish prayer, that it would snow on Christmas day.

We woke up in the morning, and, true to the weather forecast, the rain was falling. Nevertheless, we had a great day, and lots of lovely presents and time with the family. Then, around seven, we looked out the window, and it was snowing! The weather forecast said this wouldn't happen! We looked out again after about an hour, and the flakes were bigger than I have ever seen. Bethany thinks that she only ever saw snow like that once before in her life. The biggest ones were about the size of an Oreo cookie... It was ridiculous. And it was wet snow. Packing snow. The funnest kind. Bethany and I went out to make a snowman. It was amazing. And we came back and had hot toddies and hot chocolate to warm up.

It was just another example of God providing above and beyond what we'd asked or expected. We hoped for a trip to Canada; I got business class and a cheque into the bargain. We hoped for a romantic trip to Montreal; we got engaged. We hoped for a bit of snow; we got the biggest snow we ever saw. God is so good!

Devinez quoi...

So, the pictures say it all... I told you the story about the airline giving me all that money, and I really felt that God was giving it to me for a reason. So, I planned my course of action. On Monday, Bethany and I drove to Montreal with our friend Tobi. I was so happy, because I got to drive there, which is what I wanted to do all along. Well, on Tuesday, after a great day downtown (which, by the way, is incredibly beautiful at Christmas), we went out for a walk, heading for a restaurant that Tobi had recommended. We saw this beautiful church, with a view of the mountain, and covered in snow. We walked to the top of the steps of the building, and the bells started to ring. Bethany asked me if I could hear them, but I didn't respond, as I was too nervous... I got down on one knee, and produced a ring from my pocket, and asked Bethany to marry me.

She said 'are you joking?', three times before she said yes! Man, I was so nervous... Anyway, we're very happy, and we're looking forward to our life together. Right, I'd best go. I'm spending Christmas with her family, and we have a bunch of stuff to do. And I have a wedding to plan. Merry Christmas, gang...

I always do this...

Man, why is it that I only ever really blog when I'm in Canada? I mean, it's well over a month since I blogged last, and the one before that was written over here too.

So, I'm here once again. This time for Christmas. You wouldn't believe what happened to me on the way here. I travelled down to London on Thursday night, where I visited an excellent pub at Great Portland Street, the name of which escapes me. James and I drank Timothy Taylor Landlord, and the Owner of the pub put my suitcase in the cellar for me. We took the bus up to James' house in Golders Green, and I spent the night on his floor, using a towel for a mattress, and an empty duvet cover as my blanket. Next to a radiator that was hotter than the sun.

I didn't sleep so well, but I was up and away on time, and we enjoyed an unexpectedly good breakfast in a Weatherspoons at Baker Street station. After this, we parted ways, and I headed, with my suitcase, enormous backpack, and hand luggage, to Kings Cross, where I could change trains for the airport. Everything was going to plan. Then I arrived at the terminal building, to see the line of all lines for the check in desk. I waited for an hour, and then I was told that the flight had been overbooked, and I wouldn't get on it. I was sent over to a ticket desk, where I was told someone would sort me out. I thought this kind of thing only happened in the movies...

Well, I spoke to the guy, and he sorted me out with a flight the next morning at nine. He gave me vouchers for all the meals I'd be around for, and he got me a hotelf for the night, with transfers. Then, as is Air Canada policy, he gave me a hefty cheque (or check, depending on the way you look at it). I went away rejoicing at my misfortune!

So I spent the night in this hotel, hanging out with a young Canadian couple who now live in Cardiff, and were trying to head back to see the family. I didn't get much sleep, but that didn't matter much, because I knew that I had the flight to catch up. I got back to the airport in plenty of time, and as I checked in, was told that I had been upgraded to business class. It was UNSTINKINGBELIEVABLE. I'm not kidding, it was hilarious. You imagine me, in first class? Ridiculous.

Anyway, I'm off to Montreal for a couple of days with Bethany now. We're driving up with Tobi, and coming back on the bus on Wednesday. It's going to be pretty awesome. More upon my return. Peace out...