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Saskatchewan Derek (1966 - 1991)
 Derek is the oldest son born to Albert & Rosemary Braaten of Abbey, Saskatchewan. He grew up on a cattle ranch in the Swift Current area among sandhills and cactus. Derek took part in the Abbey/Lancer 4-H Beef Club, Cabri minor hockey, and wore the #1 sweater (goaltender) for the Cabri Bulldogs while carrying a full high school course load and rigourous road schedule. Though the "Dogs" only played about twice a week, Derek managed to sport a somewhat reddish "Coppertone Tan" on the back of his neck even in the middle of a Saskatchewan winter. After high school, Derek attended STI in Moose Jaw (now SIAST) and completed a course in Radio/TV Electronics. Computers were just catching on - so fearing this new technology and the fad that it posed, he opted for a more secure albeit brief career in repairing 8 track tape decks and CB radios instead which for some reason seemed to be much more plentiful those days than computers. In retrospect he maybe should have pursued the computers... at any rate... Derek then attended the University of Saskatchewan and completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in marketing. In his spare time, Derek was involved with the Saskatoon Commerce Students' Society which he enjoyed tremendously. He cites many memorable moments from the Ukrainian Alternative, the September BBQ, Bus Trips to Alberta, and of course the Upper MUB PUB functions. B. Comm. B. Cool.
Ontario Derek (1991 - 1997)
Truth can be stranger than fiction. Somehow a Commerce degree and an attempt to escape farm life landed Derek a job with John Deere Limited (ie. farm tractors) for "training" in rural Grimsby, Ontario. Along with a fellow U of S Engineer Sheldon Gellner, Derek marketed green iron (and himself) as a "Combine Specialist" with limited success throughout SW Ontario. A move to London, Ontario and frequent  "training" in the US Midwest combined with a severe shortage of the fairer sex left him frustrated and unfulfilled. An opportunity presented itself to leave farm equipment for something altogether different: construction equipment - a smaller company named Champion Road Machinery Ltd. in Goderich, Ontario. Situated along Ontario's "West Coast", Derek became a parts marketing and inventory manager for dealers throughout North America, Asia, and the South Pacific. Still, he was missing something. An impulsive trip to the Ukraine led to Derek meeting Yuliya (Julia) Menshova in June 1994. By August, Julia returned to Canada to visit Derek, and after 6 months they decided to get married. They travelled frequently, and developed a special feeling for the beauty of New Zealand.
Alberta Derek (1997 - 2002)
In January 1997 Derek got his big break to move out West (closer to family) and up the ladder by taking a transfer to a Regional Manager position in Calgary. The ink was barely dry when all of a sudden Volvo bought Champion and Derek's future once again became uncertain. Derek & Julia built a house in the neighborhood area of Harvest Hills in Calgary; made the move to Cowtown; and within a few months the company began an series of premature reorganizations that would make the Donald nervous. Derek's territory grew from a manageable Alberta/BC to the 11 Western United States, the 4 Western Canadian provinces, and the Territories. The $ stayed the same. Morale suffered, and layoffs shrunk the team from 13 to 5 when finally, alas, Derek could see no future there and left the company in June 2001. Determined to set out on his own, Derek recognized the opportunity to end his corporate dependency and begin a new life. No more career or financial investments in companies run by others. From now on, Derek would work for himself.
British Columbia Derek (2002 - Present)
Mortgage free and ready for a change, Derek & Julia headed for the next best thing to New Zealand... Vancouver Island! Sure, there were opportunities for them in various parts of Canada, but a May 2002 long weekend trip to Victoria and Saltspring Island led them to where they wanted to be. Clinic opportunities for Julia and consideration to return to University (Law) for Derek took a few months to sort out. By January 2003 Julia had secured work at the Glanford Animal Hospital in Victoria, the Calgary house was sold, and they were settled in the beautiful Cordova Bay area of the Saanich Peninsula. The house hunting began; and Derek & Julia bought a house in the nearby Broadmead area . Derek began with the Sutton Group Westcan Realty as a Realtor and they have never looked back. There is a saying in Victoria: "You spend the first six months trying to find a job, and the next six months creating a job for yourself."
Evan (2005 - Present!)
 Derek & Julia were blessed with their first child, Evan, on June 15th, 2005. He is one amazing little guy! For those of you who don't have kids but are thinking about it, I highly recommend getting one or two. They are so much more fun than you could ever imagine, and we just can't imagine our life without him. Seriously, get one.
Nicholas (2007 Arrival)
  Just 2 years later, little brother Nicholas arrives on the scene on July 6th, 2007 - just one day short of the famous 07/07/07. Lucky him! To the left is a photo of Nicholas in his first swing ride... You can tell he's thinking: not feeling too good right now - gonna be sick anytime - someone please stop this thing - phew, I'm ok. You'll notice "Baby Nih Nih" (as Evan calls him) is sporting his Dad's hair-doo.
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