The End

In 2008 we moved from Canada to Kenya. As part of that transition Lisa began to write weekly posts to a blog. The purpose was to share stories of our life with family far away, and to create a legacy of memories for Max and Simon who were just 8 and 10 years old.

For ten years, in three countries, we have continued to write about our adventures, our challenges, our transitions. Every year we made a book copy of the blog posts so that we would have something tangible (for us old folks). The blogs continue to live online.
2008-2010     www.chutekenya.blogspot.com
2010              www.chuteroad.blogspot.com
2011-2016     www.chuteqatar.blogspot.com
2016-2018     www.chutevietnam.blogspot.com

But there will be no new posts from now on. Max is 20 years old. Simon is 18 years old. It has been an incredible journey with them but they are independently living their own adventures now and, undoubtedly, archiving their stories in a way that makes sense for each of them.

And so we say goodbye to a 10-year old tradition. Tim and Lisa will continue to live and work in Ho Chi Minh City. Max and Simon will continue to live and study at University of Waterloo in Canada. We will continue to be a family with stories to tell. 

Another Season

The end of summer marked another transition for our family. On August 31 Simon and Lisa traveled to the University of Waterloo to attend International Orientation and to settle Simon for his studies in Environment Resources and Sustainability. We met up with Max there and checked Simon into his Grebel Residence.

It was an emotional time for all of us -- excitement about seeing Max again, satisfaction that Simon received so many IB Diploma transfer credits for his program, nervousness to meet a roommate, and, of course, sadness to say goodbye. But, above all, Tim and Lisa are thankful for these two remarkable young men who will now make their own way in the world. They are young men who have filled our lives with joy and purpose and laughter and adventure. We are so proud of you both. 

Family Time Outdoors

This summer we were able to take advantage of the hot, dry weather by being outdoors. We explored parks and lakes. We exercised. We visited landmarks. We did chores and enjoyed the company in the outside, just because we could! One of the blessings of a Canadian summer is being able to be out-of-doors without smog, monsoons, sand storms, humidity, or malaria-carrying mosquitoes. Over the years we have come to appreciate this more and more.

Simon and Samuel paddling in Nova Scotia

Champlain Look-off with the Brubachers near Ottawa

Pink Lake. One of 13 meromictic lakes in Canada.

Topiary sculptures in Jacques Cartier Park

White Point Beach in NS

Another fine day at the cabin on Harmony Lake

Dad and Todd playing cribbage outdoors

Great weather for painting!

Fishing!

Strawberry season in NS

Cycling in Fort Erie

Family Time Indoors

While in Ottawa, we took full advantage of the amazing museums in the Nation's Capital. Most museums offer a time of the week when its doors are open for free to the public. We coordinated our time with Max's work schedule and were able to visit 11 museums at no charge!

Lisa's favourite was the RCMP Musical Ride stables where we saw horses being groomed by officers for a show later in the day. Max's favourite was the Science and Technology Museum where he saw his vintage CCM bike (currently used to get to and from work) on display in the historical transportation section. Simon's favourite was the Museum of Nature and the tanks of aquatic red beetles. Tim's favourite was the Supreme Court of Canada.

Canada Day on The Hill

It was a HOT ONE! The temperature and humidity had a "real feel" of 47 degrees Celsius. We have not been in Ottawa for many years and this was our first Canada Day on Parliament Hill. Parliament Hill was not crowded, probably because of the extreme heat. The water refill stations and huge mist cannons were necessary.

Standing in the mist of the snow cannon

We enjoyed live entertainment at the National Arts Centre and a BBQ salmon lunch. The National Gallery was free admission on July 1 so we enjoyed an hour there, viewing the Art and getting cooled off. The highlight was seeing the Snowbirds perform their aerial show.

More Friends!

While driving in Ontario we took the opportunity to visit with two more families who are special to us.
Tim's Administrative Assistant in Vietnam recently married and moved to Canada. We spent two days in the Niagara Falls area, exploring and visiting with these fine folks!

And then we stopped in our favourite community of Uxbridge to visit our favourite old friends. Our friendship has spanned more than 30 years and they now welcome our children into their lives. Our time with them was filled with stories, memories, laughter, honesty, golfing, food, and photos!

Connecting with Friends

We have been traveling in Ontario and visiting with friends. Two families are special to us because their children attend University of Waterloo and have become very good friends of Max's. They have welcomed Max (and us!) into their lives.  

Together again!

Today we arrived in Ottawa and saw our beloved Max for the first time in 6 months. We had a lovely evening together -- the first of many for the next month.

Road Trip 2018

We have started a tradition of traveling in the summer to visit with Max wherever his studies and Co-op work placements take him. This summer he is working in Ottawa with the Department of Natural Resources. Today we began our trek from Nova Scotia to find him! It was a great day of driving -- just a few rain showers -- and even better because Simon loves to do the driving!

We stopped to visit friends in Truro and took our time getting to Rivere-du-Loup. We went on a tour of the Covered Bridge Potato Chip Factory in Hartland, New Brunswick. It was informative and delicious!

Family Celebrations

As is our tradition, we had a Selig Family BBQ on our return to Canada for summer vacation. This year we were in time for Father's Day festivities!

We also celebrated with two of our family graduates: Simon's High School Diploma from Saigon South International School and Brett's Nursing degree from Dalhousie University. We are very proud and excited to see these young people move on to new challenges and adventures!

Graduation Celebration

On May 26 the Class of 2018 from Saigon South International School walked across the stage to celebrate their Graduation from High School. The ceremony was the culmination of a couple weeks of exciting activities. We are very proud of Simon's achievements in High School and look forward to his future success at the University of Waterloo!

PTA and Graduates

The PTA at SSIS traditionally gives a parting gift to the graduates of the Senior class. This year the PTA took on the challenge to make pajama pants for the 74 graduates. Lisa was involved in the selection of fabric, discussions with the tailor, and distribution to the graduates.

Family Visitors

During the last week of May some of Tim's family came for a visit from Taiwan and Canada! It was a fun week to explore the Vietnamese culture and participate in Simon's graduation activities.

Enjoying Vietnamese Pho

Three brothers in the bamboo

Downtown Ho Chi Minh City

A walking food tour. Taking a break for kumquat/ cane sugar juice

Family sharing celebration of Simon's graduation