Ontari-ari-ario! My home and native land

The moment we crossed the bridge from Port Huron, MI, to Sarnia, ON, I felt a surge of excitement. Though not much of the scenery had changed between the two countries, I was happy to be home - and not just in Canada - but in ONTARIO.

I was born here. It was where I spent my childhood and early twenties, camping in its many provincial parks, soaking up the summer on shimmering lakes, working as a camp nurse and counsellor in the Muskokas, and learning about life, literature - and the Gospel - at Western. My family is also here, as are many friends I'd made during university. Sure, it doesn't have the spectacular mountains or coastal wildlife of the pacific northwest, but this place still holds a special place in my heart.

Coming back to Ontario has been a bit like stepping back into time, taking me back to when I was 18 and saying goodbye to my parents after they dropped me off at my dorm. Back to a much younger, different me who had no idea what future was in store for her. Seven years later, I return from my rainy metropolis in the west a little bit wiser, a little more steady - and infinitely more blessed - now with a husband and baby in tow!

postcards from the wild west

A wild "tatonka" in the great plains of South Dakota . . .

. . . roaming till he finds his mommy!

a stopover at famous Wall Drug to catch the elusive jackalope!

Coram finds a furry friend

The wildlife out here sure is cute!

Life on the road

Currently, I'm writing this in Worthington, Minnesota, a place of endless fields, farm and sky -and where the air is growing thicker as is the accent of the Americans here. Summer is in full swing: What a difference from what we left, just six days ago!

Then, we were in Vancouver's wintry mist, layered in jeans, long-sleeved shirts and our merino wool socks (just as any sensible pacific northwesterner). By the time we reached the Yakima Valley, I realized that summer had already arrived everywhere but Vancouver! In Washington's version of the Okanagan, it was 30C, and we were seriously overdressed! (see Coram's outfit in pictures below).

The next day, we set off for Missoula, Montana, winding through stunning mountains and watching out for moose, deer and other fleet-footed wildlife that might try to cross the highway.

Speaking of wildlife, the next day we were spared - by God's grace, I'm sure - from hitting a deer. Having seen it running toward us from the grassy median, Joash slowed down as it darted across our lane, but the car just ahead and beside us didn't see, and hit the deer on its hip, sending it flying with a crash into the ditch along with pieces of the car bumper. Luckily the passengers seemed okay, but I'm sure the deer wasn't. It was the first time I actually wished I had a gun! Poor deer.

Thursday, we reached Rapid City, South Dakota, where we spent a day with Joash's grandma Jan. She brought us to Mt. Rushmore, which I had wanted to see since watching North by Northwest, then to Storybook Island - a place Joash loved as a child. Coram and I met Joash's aunt Debbie later that evening, then made it home just before a torrential thunderstorm descended upon us with ping-pong ball sized hail stones. Amazing that our car survived, intact windshield and all, and without a dent!

We said goodbye this morning, driving through the famous Battlefield at Wounded Knee, the South Dakota Badlands, and miles and miles of beautiful, rolling plains straight out of Dances With Wolves. Sadly, there were no buffalo sightings for me, but I did have a buffalo burger at the famous Wall Drug and spotted plenty of antelope grazing the plains.

Only six days, and we've travelled so far and seen so much. Too bad we have such a long journey, or we could have spent more time exploring all these famous landmarks. But, onward we go. Tomorrow, we head toward the big cities of the midwest. After all this natural beauty, I'm not sure I'm looking forward to it!

The last days

This week has been a hard one. I have been working endlessly at thinning out our collection of stuff - over four years' worth - while keeping up with an ever-curious, faster-than-lightning little boy. But, it's also been one of incredible blessing, full of friends, celebration, and fellowship.

On Sunday, we went with our dear friends Rock, Adrienne, Tya and Sher-Ping to have our last taste of amazing, stupendous Sushi Garden, complete with Alaska rolls and mountains of sweet, sweet sashimi!

Monday, we had margaritas and a bit of game 6 with friends - which then turned into a night of 2001 Space Odyssey . . . and eventually shooting each other in Halo.

Tuesday, I was treated like a bride, taken out for a pedicure with the girls (thanks, Rachel!), lunch, then evening drinks and appies with my closest friends. It was so special and I felt so, so loved! Then the next day, Coram and I sped off to meet dear Karen and two of her boys for a midday gelato run to La Casa Gelato . . . mmm!

Today, we jaunted down to Granville Island for my last Terra Breads fix, munching our goodies in the sun with good friends Kirk, Rachel, little Olivia, and Naomi. Joash and I later indulged at Kalamata restaurant, for some fabulous roast lamb and garlicky Greek goodness.

Tomorrow, the dance party.

It's all happening so fast. With each passing day of this week, and with each friend I spend it with, I'm beginning to feel our time in Vancouver slipping away. But it's okay. I am treasuring each of these moments, grateful for the seven years God has gifted me with and all the many, many dear friends he has given me. I am totally and utterly thankful.

The bucket list

As we prepare to move to the east coast, we've determined it necessary to fulfill a bucket list of sorts before we leave the west. And most of it involves food.

Have I told you that I love food? Like REALLY love it? I could be sitting at a table covered in some of the world's best Chinese food, and yet be talking about the Mexican food I had in New Mexico that blew my mind. And now that we're leaving Vancouver, home to some of the best world cuisine in Canada, we've made a goal to revisit some of our favourite gastro-haunts. So, here's a list of what we've done and what we'd like to do, despite our limited time here:

This week: INDIAN

Where: Samosa Garden, on Kingsway.

What: The buffet. Oh-so-awesome tandoori chicken, spicy lamb curry, palak paneer served with tender-chewy naan with mango chutney on the side. Sweet, sweet Gulab jamun for dessert.

Last weekend: CHINESE

Where: Ning-Tu restaurant, on Kingsway

What: Glorious Shanghainese food. Classic siu-long bao, sumptuous fried 'n battered fish, crispy rice served in soup, fried bread with sweetened condensed milk dip. Mmm!

Last week: RAINY-DAY COMFORT FOOD

Where: Burgoo Bistro, Main St.

What: Brie cheese 'n garlic fondue with crusty bread and apple pieces for dipping. Their decadent cheese and parsley biscuits. The main course: Hearty Irish stew with Guinness-braised lamb served over garlic mashed potatoes. Perfect for a cold, rainy Vancouver night!

THE REST OF THE BUCKET LIST

1. SUSHI

Where: Sushi Garden, Lougheed Hwy (not as busy as Metrotown)

What: Oh my, their Alaska roll: Juicy salmon and avo drenched in miso dressing heaven. Huge pieces of rosey, melt-in-your-mouth tuna and buttery-soft salmon sashimi.

2. CHINESE

Where: Chen's Shanghai Kitchen, Park Rd in Richmond

What: Our favourite Shanghainese place of all time. Juicy, juicy siu-long bao, beef-roll pastry, fried dumplings, spicy beef noodle soup. Limited by translation . . . can't explain the tastiness in English!

3. MEXICAN

Where: Dona Cata Mexican, Victoria Dr.

What: Their awesome, authentic tacos, made just the way they should be! Double corn tortillas served with your choice of meat (al pastor, carnitas, barbecoa are my faves) topped with fresh onion and cilantro salad. Best of all: 10 amazing salsa to choose from. Horchata - also a must-have!

4. TAIWANESE (sort of)

Where: Anywhere I can get a decent cuppa

What: Bubble tea. Just a plain, milk tea - no bubbles, actually.

5. ITALIAN

Where: Lombardo's (Commercial Dr.)

What: Authentic and fresh italian cooking. Delicious fire-baked pizzas - anyone of them. Or any of their homemade pastas.

6. ITALIAN again

Where: La Casa Gelato

What: 188 or a billion (what's the number now?) flavours of gelato. Sure, gelato afficionados claim its quality to not be the best, but I enjoy this place. It's like a carnival of colours and crazy flavours, like balsamic vinegar gelato, pear and gorgonzola, and dark chocolate chili. Best of all, they let you sample pretty much whatever you want.

7. Richmond Night Market

Cannot tell you how much I will miss this place. The little dim-sum dishes, meat-on-a-stick, fried red-bean pastries shaped like fish (?!), bubble tea, random Asian imports, and oh, the crowds.

8. A day at a Vancouver beach

So, I'm getting into the not-food-related. I have yet to bring Coram to one of my favourite Vancouver beaches like Spanish Banks. Waiting for a sunnier day than what we've been having.

9. One more hike

Where: Any one of the coast mountain trails

I wish I had more time, at least to scale the Lions or visit Elfin Lakes again. Probably more than I can chew right now with a 10-month-old. Maybe we can do Lynn Valley at least.

10. Take some classic pictures of Vancouver

. . . so I can tell Coram that this is where Battlestar Galactica and X-men were filmed.

If anyone has some suggestions on what we could do before we leave Vancouver, drop me a line!

Of bittersweet cheer

So the time has come for Joash and me to embark on a new adventure, one that will take us thousands of kilometers from many dear friends and from the place where we met, fell in love, got married, and had our first little monkey.

Believe me, a big part of me doesn't want to go. I love my friends, my church, my neighbourhood. I will miss the weird hippies, our local pub, alpine hikes and pristine ocean kayaking. I will miss this place where I did a lot of growing up.

But, this is good. Sad, but good.

Good, because Joash needs to pastor his own church. Good, because we're making room for the emerging leaders in our church to step up. Good, because God didn't call us to have complacent, comfortable lives, but to go where the Gospel is needed.

If you haven't yet heard, we are literally moving to the other side of Canada, to a town in New Brunswick. Joash has accepted a position as pastor of a small church there, and we are off to start a new life with a new church family that has a vibrant, passionate love for Christ and their community.

If you're reading this, I ask you to pray with and for us, that we would have boldness to speak the Gospel, God's ability to love when meeting new people, courage to stand up for the truth and the humility to give Him the glory for everything we do. I also ask that you pray for Joash and me, that we have increased patience for each other (and Coram), and humility to act for the good of the other person. I know that we'll be going through a lot of life changes and that will surely put stresses on our marriage and family!

Well, we are excited - and busy. We have less than 2 weeks in Vancouver and have quite the bucket list. Drop me a line if you want to hang out, but apologies if I can't manage a get-together before we go . . . there's so much to do! But if you're ever in NB, come visit. It's purdy: