Archive for the ‘Personal’ Category

A few weeks ago I was chatting with Jenna, one of the front office staff for the Whitecaps, and she asked me if I’d be interested in writing a little something relating the fans to the players and their families for the match day program for today’s game. Um, yes. The nerd in me who’s been dying to have an actual assignment jumped at this. I still from time to time have horror dreams about waking up only to realize I never finished that paper due today. Worst feeling ever. Then I realize I haven’t been in school in 3 years. So, suffice it to say, I was pretty excited to be able to turn something in again. So, here it is! A little re-cap and insight into our move to Vancouver…

“I’ve loved the Disney movie UP from the first time I saw it. I love the message that adventure is out there, for anyone, no matter what type of unadventurous life you may think you lead. And who wouldn’t love hundreds of brightly colored balloons? J

When Matt first mentioned the possibility to me, back in August of last year, of moving to Vancouver, my automatic response was excitement. It was the adventure of it all that enticed me. Experiencing city life, exploring a different country, meeting new friends and obviously the career advancement for Matt all sounded like something I really wanted for our family. When it became official, finally, in December, I was more than ready to start the journey.

Of course, change doesn’t come without growing pains. We were sad to leave our friends and family. Moving in and of itself is a pain; moving to a new country with two small kids is nothing short of daunting. New passports, bank accounts, faces, streets and surroundings…it was all pretty overwhelming at first. Add a throwing up 2 year old and a 10 month old that thinks it’s 7am when it’s really 4am and we had certainly had ourselves something of the adventure we had been anticipating. We could’ve done without the vomit but that’s life, eh?! Some things, though, that immediately struck me were: the friendliness of strangers, the 12% sales tax, the European feeling fashion, the colored money and $2 coins, the multicultural influences, how everything seemed to close early and an incredible energy about the city that not even the longest rain could wash out. Within a few days, despite the unknowns and unfamiliarity of it all, as we acclimated, we knew we were right where we were supposed to be. And that’s a great feeling.

That feeling has only been reinforced in the 2 months we’ve been here. And not because we have some super exciting life. We’re just regular people, raising our kids, living our lives. I’m home with the kids while Matt goes to training, not exactly what you’d call an adventure. But that’s just it: adventure IS out there. It just has to be found. And this amazing city, Vancouver, has been the perfect playground for us to go find it.”

A little sneak peek from Evelyn’s 3rd birthday photo shoot…I thought this matched well with the article

In our first few days here in Vancouver I blogged a handful of times (here, here and here) in an effort to record in a stream of consciousness sort of way, to write as it was happening and share initial and immediate impressions and so on. Now, 2 months and a a little bit into it, and I’ve had more time to acclimate and really take it all in.

Turns out we were right–we do love it here. I may have said it before, but it’s such a great feeling to know you’re exactly where you’re supposed to be. I don’t know how long we’ll be here or if this will become really and truly home for us, but I’m enjoying it too much to really worry about that. What I know is that it certainly feels like home, right now. I talked about an energy that this city has when we first got here, and it hasn’t disappointed. I’m not saying every day is fireworks and excitement, but there’s something to be said about a place filled with artists and expression and movement. It just lifts me up, and has the tendency to inspire.

A few impressions on my impressions from when we first got here, and a few new ones as well…

1. Yep. That darn 12% sales tax is still in effect. The overall expensiveness of this city is still alarming at times, but I’m  slowly getting used to seeing cheese priced at $8. More importantly, I’m finding my little spots and stores I like to hit depending on what’s on sale.  Normally, I wouldn’t shop around at 5 different stores. I’m not an extreme couponer (although I tried to be for awhile) and the extra dollars here and there weren’t worth dragging the kids in and out of their car seats for an entire day and in between naps. But, because we can walk to so much, it’s so much easier. And, we get more exercise and fresh air. It’s a win-win!

2. This is not related to Vancouver in any way but since we’re on the subject of food, I’ve discovered these fruity jelly people shaped things at Whole Foods that are to die for. It doesn’t help that Whole Foods is a stones throw away, I eat them way too much.

3. In the case that something is not a stone’s throw away, we’ve taken the train (aka metro) several times, which Evelyn and Theo love. We even get to take alligators (Evelyn talk for elevators) down to the trains. Talk about excitement! What has shocked me though, is that the train system is based on the honor system. You literally can walk past the pay machines and get right on a train. You don’t have to put your ticket in anything to get by any gates, you just have to try to evade the occasional green jacketed officer that may or may not ask to see your ticket. Would this EVER happen in DC?! I think not.

4. Another shocker, and I hate to say it, but I have not even really missed Target. I’ll get the occasional twang of nostalgia whenever I see ads (there are not Targets here, but there are commercials for Targerts here?) on TV, but for the most part, I’m surviving just fine without it. I did visit Zellers once, it’s not terrible but it’s no Target.

5. Smithe street is pronounced with a long I, so for those of you forgetting your first grade grammar rules it would be pronounced like writhe. Definitely do not pronounce it as you would pronounce the film in which Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie became Brangelina.

6. I’ve not heard nearly as many ‘ehs’ as I have expected to hear.

7. It’s still raining. But when the sun comes out, man do people get excited. I am definitely one of those people.

8. Getting my SIN (equivalent to SSN) was super quick and easy, thankfully. Expecting to encounter a DMV-like atmosphere, I was very pleasantly surprised when there was no line when I walked in, and the people working there were even nice! Next up is the license, stay tuned.

9. Toopy and Binoo. This is the weirdest cartoon I’ve ever seen. A misshaped, ugly mouse and some odd white creature make up this show. Never seen it on in the States, but Evelyn loves her some Toopy and Binoo. The tune is quite catchy, I find myself sining it while I cook and clean.

That’s it for now. Feeling comatose as I sit on this couch, need to stop staring at screens and get moving! Too bad it’s raining. ciao!

Kitsilano Beach. Just a short drive or a 30 minute walk along the sea wall. Is is not gorgeous?!

This mess of a blog is driving me nuts. Or maybe just lack thereof, of a blog, is driving me nuts. I’m not sure it’s our recent move, or Theo’s newly spritely legs, or Evelyn’s apparent need to whine from the moment she wakes up, or the amount of crumbs on this carpet that I can never seem to fully clean up, or the rain of this city (I knew it rained moving here, just taking some getting used to), but I just can’t seem to get going these days. Not just on this blog, but on anything. I literally get to the end of my day and think, I wasn’t busy? Where did the time go? Maybe all my catching up on Mad Men these recent weeks has taken away from what should’ve been ‘work time,’ but I do love me some Don Draper and Joan Harris. I mean, I am busy with the kids. But it’s a deceiving busy. It’s a busy that allows me to be at home, not really doing anything, yet not able to actually do anything. That makes sense, right? But my point is, the moment you start doing something, something spills or someone poops or someone falls or he starts tugging at your shirt or she starts yelling in your ear for more popsicles.

The other day, I wasn’t doing anything. It was just us three, here in our little 5th floor apartment, and I got angry. I think it was the morning Theo got into my room (he’s obsessed with doors these day) and created a nice mural of dried flowers on the carpet. Evelyn was yammering on about something, and I said what I think a lot of moms think–that I was sick of not being able to have the time to do what I actually wanted to do. That I was sick of my life not being my life. I crumpled up in the hallway, and cried. I asked Evelyn to come give me a hug. She came right over, patted my head, put her head on mine, and said that it’ll be ok. She asked me what was wrong, then proceeded to ask, “Did you hit your head, mommy?” I then laughed, of course.

I feel like I’m failing in so many departments and I don’t know where to start to organize my life. I know I compare myself way too much to other moms and photographers and bloggers and just people in general. It’s such an unattractive quality, really. It makes me not like me. I just need to come to terms that I’m not good at certain things. I need to give up control. I need to ask for more help. I’m starting to think that maybe right now is supposed to be a time of stepping back for me, even if that means things are messy, and stay messy, for a little bit. A little bit never hurt anyone. Maybe this is a time of re-evaluating my strengths and weaknesses and goals and hopes and not to dive too hastily into anything. It’s in my nature to see a problem and then fix it with the first solution that comes my way. But that’s rash. Patience has never been a strength of mine, my kids are only pointing that out to me ever further these days.

So, I’m sorry this blog is not pretty to look at. It will be, one day. I might even have all my ducks in a row one day, and be productive and blog and shower and grocery shop and answer emails and exercise all in the same 24 hours. But you know what? I think that when that day comes, I’ll wish I had Theo’s chubby little cheeks pointed up with all his might towards me just begging to be cuddled. This is why I do this, this is why I write. It brings me back to earth. Sure, those days ahead that may be more about me and less about surviving definitely will have their perks. But it’s while I’m in these survival days that I need to remind myself that these days are numbered. Not only are they numbered, they are humbling. They keep me grounded. I don’t care how many posts I have to write to remind myself of this same truth. Apparently it’s a hard one to learn, because I feel like I’ve written this a million times. Yet, each time, I feel like I learn it a little bit better, and realize a little more fully what these days are about. It’s not about singing praises about how great my kids are or how great our day was. Our day could’ve sucked. I could’ve loathed every second I was awake, wishing I was asleep. It could’ve been a day spent trying to convince Evelyn that no, she’s not a baby, and yes she does need to wear big girl undies at some point in her life. These human poops are getting too gross to change…you get the point.

The point is not how great our life is because these days are just oh so wonderful. The point is simple, obvious, you already know it and thus so easily missed: try, amidst the chaos, exhaustion, frustration and discouragement of everyday life to love these little souls, be thankful for days with them, because they won’t be little for long.

Favorite picture of Theo.