Life is soooooooo good!!

Hi All,
I am just enjoying my 2nd day off. It has been nice. Beautiful, in fact. See, the weekend was rainy...actually Thursday to Saturday...and now it is just gorgeous outside. I have been trying to do some walking. After I leave the internet cafe, downtown Canmore, where I am right now, I will walk back for the 2 miles it takes. So that will put me at 18 miles, I have walked since I have been here. I am slimming down. And drinking lots of water. I really hate water...but now, it's more of a necessity for cleaning rooms. What I wouldn't do without my water...anyhow.

I am soooo happy! I am getting a computer. My friend Gale Heinrichs, who works at Canmore Inn and Suites, and her husband Gerry, are selling me their computer for $600 dollars. It's a really nice computer, with speakers, dvd burning, dvd watching, cd burning etc. It's really nice. So one of my dreams is coming true. My next dream is to start paying off my debts...under $10,000, but once that is done, I will be thrilled. It will be a burden I can do without.

Plus, I am beginning plans to formulate my family reunion of PARENTEAUS next summer, July 2006...a lot of work, but I have some good ideas. Not sure how many people are interested, but could be anywhere from 300 to 1000. Anyways, that will keep me busy with all the planning. Basically my great great great grandparents Joseph Alphonse Parenteau (born in Sept 1848) and his wife Helene "Nellie" Cook had about 5000 to 6000 descendants. I only have about 2000 so far that I have done. But I enjoy challenges.

Hey Denise, has Monica worn Susan's dress yet? Put some pics of that on your blog if you can. Hope you are doing well. I watched Mary Poppins the other night and was thinking of you and Monica.

Later-Gator!
Cam

A week later...

Hi Dear Friends,
Yes, it's a week later. I am still alive. And happy. The mountains are just beautiful. The only thing is to adjust to a roomate, and him having to adjust to me. But we get along great. We spend some time talking, as he is trying to get better at English. So I try and be patient to assist him in proper sentance usage. Instead of us sharing a bedroom, he opts to sleep in the living room on the hideabed...which is cool. That way I can leave my bedroom window open, as I like a cold breeze in my room, at night. And we have 2 tvs...one in bedroom and one in living room so that is a bonus. Now we can watch what WE want...and we have a lot of channels so that is a blessing.

Work is going okay. I am enjoying it...although sometimes I think why am I here? Because sometimes I don't like housekeeping, it is so boring and other times I love it. In 3 days, I made $36 dollars in tips. Not too bad. It's better than nothing. But some days, I might not make anything. Oh well.

Some guy at the hotel is selling a computer for $300 dollars, complete with printer, speakers etc...so I am going to see if I can get it next payday on the 30th. I have always wanted a computer!! So I will keep my fingers crossed. It's a Compaq labtop...

Well HAPPY BIRTHDAY Denise! Hope you had a great day!! Hello to all my friends, they need not be mentionned...to many to mention...Hi Rich and Susan!! You have to send me an email at clongo83@hotmail.com



Cam

In Canmore...

Hi Guys,
Well I am in Canmore. I left Tuesday and headed for a nice visit with my Auntie Erla and Uncle Harry in Swift Current. We had a delicious meal, great visit, poring over Genealogy records, family history, family pictures etc. I was in Seventh Heaven, as was my Auntie Erla, who loves these kinds of things as I do.
I was hoping to get some much needed sleep on my trip to Canmore but it was not to happen. I got about 3 hours. I was hoping for 6. I sat next to a crying child...who cried for about 2 hours straight. Putting on my headset did not help, I must confess. It helps to attach it to something. So I rummaged around for my walkman/discman. So I did. But it didn't help. Oh well. I felt bad for that mother. I could tell lots of people were not terribly pleased with her. But it wasn't her or the baby's fault. Most of the people on the bus were under 20. Except me, who was in my 30's. So Denise, in a year, you will be the magical 30. I wonder what awaits you.
Anyways got here, but was missing one of my suitcases. So I did not need that hassle. But it gets better. Took a cab to Marriot Hotel...beautiful, scenic drive up to where it is...about 2 miles away from town centre. Got there, announced myself, and no one knew who I was, or that I was to arrive today. My staff accom was not ready. I was a bit surprised. The general manager that had hired me, had resigned that Saturday, and so no one notified me, or let me know anything. It was a stressful time for me, thinking I might have to go back to Saskatchewan, if they don't have room for me. Thankfully, things did get straightened out, and they were happy to have me.
Thankfully, they let me sleep in my staff accomodation. Two queen beds in a bedroom, with a bathroom next to it. In the other room is a living room with a small kitchen, but it has a large fridge, and a stove top...(miracle of miracles)...very nice accomodation. I met my roomate who was working...Yashie Hiro(he is Japanese). He is nice, but he is trying to learn English, so I am sure I can assist him in what he needs to learn...
That evening, my former co worker Gale Heinrichs(possible distant relation), and her husband Gerry came to visit me. It was good to see her.
Next morning I started work. It was difficult, as it always is, when you are starting a new job. But the people there were great, and helpful. I completed the rooms I was given. That night, I came home and had a bath...I normally don't have baths, but this time, I thought I needed one...and so it was good. I went to bed early...when I was at Rich and Susan's I was usually in bed by 3 in the morning. That night I was in bed by 10 or so. And up for my second day, which went good. Met a friend of mine from Banff, that I sung with at the Banff Springs Hotel Christmas Choir, so it was good to see him again.
I miss everyone. Rich and Susan. Denise and Monica. Sandi and Nico. Brian. Helen and Michael. And lots of others. Denise Balla. My table...Roger, Muriel, Mel and Priscilla.

Till later on,
Cam

Tomorrow I leave for Canmore, Alberta...

Hi All,
Tomorrow, I leave for Canmore, Alberta. I am both very sad, and very happy. I am sad to leave so many good friends. Denise, Sandi, Rich, Susan, Michael and Helen, Brian, Claude and many others(they need not be mentionned...just kidding!). But I am also very happy to be able to start anew in Canmore. I am glad and fortunate to have a job. And in the Mountains...how can a person go wrong seeing the mountains. I lift my eyes up...and see God, it seems, well, thru his creation of everything that has life.

On Saturday night, we had a KARAOKE night at Sandi's. Me, Denise and Monica were there to help celebrate. We sang some songs, had some cake, watched Denise sing the ever difficult AVE MARIA, which she handled like a bird...singing so effortlessly and her voice hitting the rafters, like a canary. I still remember being at Sandi's wedding September 2000, and coming from Jasper, Alberta for it. And Denise did the music with her husband Jeff Demchuk. And I had always known that Denise could sing, but AVE MARIA is a very range filled song, from lows to highs and when she hit those operatic notes...well it was heavenly and beautiful and it will be a moment I will NEVER forget. We all were shocked and stunned to hear such a voice come out of that petite bird-like woman(notice I keep mentionning bird/canary)...anyways it was Denise's first time hearing her sing that song on video tape, and she seemed pleased by her performance. I know we all were.

Well I am busy packing, repacking, tying up loose ends, visiting people before I leave...and so I leave by Bus tomorrow at lunch time. Get into Swift Current and get off bus for afternoon and evening to visit my Auntie Erla(Klaassen) and Unce Harry Frisen and have supper with them...so I am anxious to see them. It's been about 11 months since I last saw them.

Well soon, you will hear how my life in Canmore is coming along. Lord willing, it will all be good.

God Bless You All!!

Cam

Peter A. Klaassen and Maria Jantzen family. 1937
My grandparents are the bottom row...far right. Katie and Daniel Klaassen.
All of the people present are the 14 siblings and spouses of Peter and Maria's children.

Mom and Me...October 3, 2004.