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?!

Theo suffers from what I like to call the second child syndrome. Poor little guy does not have the month by month following of his life like Evelyn does. And Evelyn, well her recordings drop off just about the time Theo entered the scene. They do have a lot of instagrams though, and who doesn’t love instagram? You can tell by my overuse that I’m a bit obsessed with the app. Thank god for the iPhone. I am truly indebted to Apple b/c without their products my kids would go undocumented for the most part. They just make it so easy to remember moments. Anyhow, I’ve gotten off point, this is not supposed to be an ad for Apple.

A couple of weeks ago I made the effort to grab my big camera along with the fifty million other things I always take with me when we leave the house (Matt usually takes one diapers and one pack of wipes, and he survives), in order to capture Theo at 9 months and Evelyn just before she hits 3. Officially, officially no longer a baby. No more baby chub, real little girl ringlets, the ability to hold a conversation, reveling in her power over her little brother, scraped knees of a little lady and all. A proper little girl. This was right before Theo started walking, when he was happy to sit for a few seconds and play with dirt and rocks and stones that all little boys (and Evelyn) like to play with, before crawling off. I wanted to remember his chubster cheeks, his dark turned light hair starting to curl around his ears, his smile, his curious hands, his happy demeanor, his fascination with his big sister. Just yesterday we were brining him home from the hospital and Evelyn asked him to get out of his car seat to play with her…before long we’re gonna need another baby around this place! (don’t tell Matt; and, you’re probably wondering how I can say that after yesterday’s post!) Besides, can you imagine how neglected a third child would feel?! There would literally be no pictures of that kid. Guess we’ll have to make do with the two rascals we already have. It’s a good thing we like them  

Little tip for moms of little girls on making clothes last way longer than they should: that shirt she is wearing under her hoodie is actually an 18 month dress. Still fits her in the arms no problem!

Seriously?! He has the best smile.

I love how Theo is looking at her in this picture. ha!