Posts Tagged ‘thoughts’

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?!

Wrote this on Thursday, but it’s taken me until now to actually get it posted…will I ever be on top of things?

A week ago at this time I was agonizing over the decision of whether or not to pack up our lives in 6 bags and leave Friday morning at 7am, as opposed to staying back in MD while Matt did pre-season and buy myself a bit more time to get packed up. I went back and forth time and time again, but I’m so glad I made the decision to just get out here. That plane ride would’ve been tough alone (more like miserable), and I would’ve missed out on experiencing the city for the first time with Matt.

I am going through a range of emotions and feelings as we get situated. Although I’ve known about the possibility of this move for some time, it still seems surreal. I am going back and forth between being so excited about this new time and place in our lives, and then I take a look at my lists and get a little (ok a lot) overwhelmed. And then Evelyn came down with the flu yesterday, the gross throw up kind, so that adds extra laundry and takes away more sleep.

I feel like I’m riding a thin line with…how I relate all this. On the one hand, I really have no room to complain. Yea, we need internet and phones and I HATE that I left three quarters of my closet in MD. But there are inconveniences that come along with moving and changes and life in general, that’s true for everyone. I realize how lucky I am. I feel really blessed to be able to experience this with my husband and my kids. I’m so happy and proud of Matt and for bringing us here. I know it’s not everyday that you get an offer to play major league soccer. So I want to relay that. I want to share my anticipation and excitement and new experiences with whoever wants to share in them with me. But on the other hand, I don’t want to over do it. I don’t want to create an over glamorized idea of what I’m living. Or even worse, have it come across as if I’m trying to prove the point that my life is better than yours. I’m still just a mommy and a wifey at the end of the day, lucky enough to have this adventure. I may be a WAG, but as Matt puts it, I’m a definitely WAG on a budget ha!

Feel like I have much more to share and say and post, but for now I want to leave it at that. The plan is to get the mundane stuff taken care of (like grocery shopping, so my family can actually eat), and then get out there to start taking some pictures. I want to show this city off! I have lived in suburbia my whole life, but over the past year or two have been itching to live the city life. It’s been pretty fun (and convenient!) so far. It’s also fulfilling my secret alter ego inspired by Carrie Bradshaw, but that’s a whole new post.

Until next time…

carpe diem