Posts Tagged ‘life’

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.

Home.

One of my goals  is to write more. To make this blog just as much about words and my life as it is about photos. I read an article last night about Reese Withersppon in Elle magazine. I love her. She’s got an effortless beauty and likability about her that is so attractive. One of her directors, James L. Brooks, commented about her that she has,over the years, become less self aware. He goes on to say: “…self-consciousness is the enemy of being creative.” It’s so true. I want to write in a more stream of consciousness way because I think the more I delete and back space and perfect everything, the less real it is.

Day 3 in Vancouver and it is still raining. And it’s supposed to keep on raining all week long. It’s not so bad, it’s not non-stop rain and the sun does peek out every now and again. I actually don’t mind the cloudy skies so much. Not sure how I will feel after 3 weeks or 3 months of this weather, but I think the location makes up for it. As I said in my last post, I love the energy of this city. And I think Evelyn does, too. She seems to thrive off of it. Which is only natural since she is nothing short of an energetic child. We took a walk this morning down to the waterfront and she seemed in her element. She darted ahead of me numerous times, causing me to panic when she got too close to the road, but still seemed aware of what was around her. It was a game for her to wait for the light to turn green so we could walk. I forgot her gloves, so she strolled down Burrard street hands in pockets and her feet in wellies. The noises and people and buildings and activity don’t seem to scare her, or Theo for that matter. They both just seem content to take in all that is around them. I think this will be so good for them.

Further first impressions of the city as we get a little more acclimated each day…

1. If I have one complaint about not even this city, but this country, it’s the lack of the presence of Target. Apparently there is a similar store called Zeller’s, but I’m skeptical.

2. It rains a lot!

3. Tim Horton’s. When I asked what this was the bellhop seemed shocked (and maybe even a little insulted) that I didn’t know what this was. It’s a fast food chain, but they sell a pretty darn good cup of chicken noodle soup.

4. It feels very European. Or I should say British. Which makes sense since the Queen is on their colored money. But I just wasn’t expecting it to feel so close to how England felt. Fashion wise especially.

5. A lot of things feel smaller. For example, the deodorant I bought was definitely half the size of deodorants in the US (yet, ironically, twice the price).

6. There are a lot of Asian (middle eastern and eastern) people living here, and so far, they are the ones I’ve noticed who dress the best.

7. Lastly, I haven’t had a very good cup of coffee since I’ve been here. Tim Horton’s should just stick to chicken noodle soup, the hotel’s brew leaves something to be desired, and I swear the barista at Starbucks spiked my white chocolate mocha with vodka. I’m sticking to tea for now.

Until next time! Off to catch a few zzz’s with the kiddies…

carpe diem

Without fail…

one or both of the kids always poops as soon as we leave the house to run errands.

I still find myself days before trying to get that “one last thing”, no matter how early I start my Christmas shopping.

I will never be bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6:30am, no matter how early I go to bed;

and now matter how late they go to bed, they are always bright eyed and bushy tailed at 6:30am.

I somehow manage to go to Target 3 times a week.

God provides.

“A Charlie Brown Christmas” gets me in the Christmas mood,

and “It’s a Wonderful Life” makes me cry.

I can always count on Evelyn’s morning fro to make me laugh,

and Theo’s smiley face to make me smile.

as soon as I feel settled, something new gets thrown my way.

my husband is constantly teaching me to have more fun and enjoy the moment,

and my kids remind me that experiences and ideas are what you make of them.

Here’s to not taking life so seriously, rolling with the punches and inviting adventure with open arms.

Merry Christmas!