Posts Tagged ‘journaling’

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?!

Finally getting back to my blog! I wrote this post while Matt was gone last week, about our little adventure in Charleson Park, a quick 3 block walk from our building…

The days have been quietly slipping away as Matt has been gone since Tuesday now. We still have a large chunk of time before he gets back, but so far it’s not been so bad. We’ve been exploring the city a bit, but ironically so I’m already finding myself comfortable within “our” spots, stores and sidewalks. I don’t plan on it staying like this though, there is too much to see. I just laugh a little as I see myself fall into the patterns I’ve always fallen into: veering away from things that are different, new, scary. We truly are creatures of habit (at least I am!). At the same time I realize I need to give myself a little bit of time to just get acclimated. I think I’ve had a good amount of change the last few weeks…

I hate not blogging and recording more consistently when a lot is going on, there’s so much to remember and record—but that’s exactly why I haven’t, because a lot is going on! But as I have at least the next foreseeable moments ahead of me to just sit and think about the last two weeks or so, I’m sure it will come back…

One thing in particular I’ve been so impacted by is the friendliness of strangers. I’ve mentioned it before, but numerous times I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that people don’t mind just talking with me, even as they don’t know me. Every time they’ve been interested that I’m here only a few weeks, from the US with my family because of Matt’s signing. They are eager to help and point out local things I need to check out and do with the kids. It honestly and truly brightens my day, as recently I’ve not had much adult interaction other than gritting my teeth at the checkout person as the kids squirm to be free.

Which I feel like the kids are doing a lot of lately. I’m not sure if it’s the size of our apartment or our lack of toys as we left everything in MD, but they just seem couped up. I really don’t know why since we walk literally everywhere (except for Ikea where I have gone a bit crazy). Maybe it’s the adjustment for them too. Although they are kids, I’m sure they know things are different.

On a particularly long day this past Monday, after a particularly rainy weekend, as the kids were about to drive me insane, the skies stopped spitting on us and I knew I had to do something with them. So off we went to Charleson Park. Or I went in general direction of the park. I didn’t actually know where the entrance was. So I found myself with my double stroller, one kid strapped in and one roaming free as the traffic whizzed by us on 6^th Avenue. In hindsight, 7^th Avenue would’ve been a much better choice.

The steeply inclined dirt hill without a stroller would’ve been barely doable, but for some reason I decided to try it out anyways. I honestly don’t know what I was thinking, especially since I was in visible view of the road and people in their cars would clearly be able to witness my error in judgment by pushing my kid up a mountain while my two year old braved it on her own. So up we went…and about halfway there I knew I had made a really bad decision as the stroller started nosing back down. Evelyn had veered off to my left and was panicking as she attempted to scale some rocks. Luckily she pulled herself together and made it to the top unscathed. I on the other hand was still stuck. I refused to look down at the cars as I knew they were wondering what nut job would do such a thing.  Instead of fighting gravity, I went with her and hoped Theo would survive the bumpy ride down…jokes, jokes. I did, however, go with gravity and turn the stroller so that it was facing down the hill. I put it in the locked position, and got Theo out so I could just walk him up the rest of the way. I then faced the dilemma of leaving my 2 year old to watch my 9 month old so I could get the stroller. Luckily the stroller was not far, but still, we were at the top of a hill. I plopped Theo down, planted Evelyn next to him, and told her to squeeze him and DON’T LET HIM CRAWL AWAY FROM YOU. Knowing how she loves to be in control of her little brother, I knew she’d take this task very seriously. She didn’t disappoint as she proceeded to grab his neck in a headlock hold, that booger wasn’t getting away from her.

So, we made it out unscathed. We went on to discover a beautiful and large park complete with trees and trails that eventually led to the water and lots of open space to run around. There is even a great playground for Evelyn, and swings for Theo, which make him giggle. What’s best though, is the view. The view across the water is spectacular. Bridges and loads of sailboats in one direction with high rises in the background, and to another direction is BC Stadium with the mountains behind it. I think it’ll be best if I just show you. And, on our way out, we made sure to take the bridge on 7^th Ave. Hindsight’s a bitch sometimes, ain’t it? At least it made for a good story.

Enjoy…

She loves the elevator in our building. It’s like the highlight of her day to push the buttons and guess which door is going to open.

Ash Ave.

A fall in the mud. Didn’t stop her from playing, though.

Wasn’t expecting to see this.

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