Discoveries

Today I went with my partner and his family to his sons school where a book fair was taking place. Having little interest int he reading material displayed I sat back and people watched. Two little girls caught mt eye, they couldn't be more than 5 years old. The two were comparing their copies of a Hannah Montana book not realizing the books were exact duplicates. Deeply immersed in their excitement of having found such a treasure they would look first at one girls book then the others. When one found three pages of colour pictures in the middle of her book the other, not wanting to be showed up, immediately looked for some in hers. Finding them she opened her book to the second page of pictures and thinking that her pictures were different than her friends she excitedly showed them off. Her friend asked if she wanted to trade books but now the first girl was starting to catch on and told her friend to go to the second picture page as she thought they may be the same. Upon close examination they came to the exhilarating conclusion that their books were exactly the same. Happily they went on their way leaving me amused and reflecting on the point in my own life when I made the same amazing discovery.

Peter

Everything happens for a reason, there's no such thing as a coincidence. Paths cross, unexpected events pop out of nowhere and our lives are changed. One such event happened when I was down south. Marc and I decided to go for a stroll on the sea wall in Stanley park and as we were trying to figure out how to legally park my car I noticed that the man behind us had a bunch of strange stickers on his arm. While Marc was swearing at the parking ticket machine I got nosey and asked about the stickers. This was the beginning of a wonderful and intriguing conversation. He said the stickers were a new Japanese healing technique that his friend had recommended. From there the dialogue developed at an amazing speed. He's a writer and he writes books on relationships. All kinds of relationships, personal, professional, with other people, with yourself. A very interesting man. I think we must have chatted for close to an hour. I love it when wonderful people just pop out of the woodwork. Our visit with Peter allowed me to re-examine some aspects of my life, forcing me to let some things go, put some things to rest and stop sitting on the fence. Move forward again. I highly regard those in life who can stop us in our tracks and make us think... gently. I am very much looking forward to reading Peters book.

Downtown Eastside

A very interesting place. Poverty, drug use, mental instability and general misery runs rampant. I found a grounding reality check when looking into the dirty, gaunt, semi conscious faces of the occupants of East Hastings. A renewed appreciation and respect for the state of my own life followed me home. Humble is an experience I am proud to say I enjoy.

Relationships

The most important aspect of humanity. We can survive without money, homes, things, jobs, ease and media. But show me someone who is of sound mind that can survive without relationships. It could be a relationship with a friend, a lover, an acquaintance, a neighbour, a sister, a brother, a parent, a child, God, an animal. The most important one though is with yourself. Without a strong relationship here, how can any other relationship work? Allot of people are not privy to this information or if they are they choose stubbornly to take the easy way out... Blaming others for the effects of their broken relationships with themselves.

Take a close and critical look at your relationship with yourself. If it ain't up to snuff... fix it. For our sake.

Ug

I feel like I just dry swallowed a large pill and it got stuck half way down my esophagus.

Shoes

Pretty girl shoes.

Sashaying down the side walk, skirt swishing, hips rolling, long legs almost reaching their potential... the picture is unfinished without a pair of beautiful back almost flats that click so precisely- not the ridiculous soprano, double time click clack that some shoes and gaits afford but an alto, sophisticated, don't fuck with me click.

Perfect.

I never imagined myself as one of those women who has more than three pairs of shoes and loves bringing a new pretty pair home. Yet again I am surprised by my own antics.

Coffee, old men and change.

Today I have started out with new purpose. Direction is a wonderful thing. Unfortunately things don't always go as planned...
I parked my car a few blocks from my favorite coffee shop where I planned to study like a madman. When I got out I realized that I was not in possession of the change needed to feed the ever starving parking meter. I was in luck, however, as I found 16 minutes left on the time machine... Ahh, just enough time to go get some change. Off I strode with thoughts of how to acquire said change bubbling in my mind. Into the coffee shop. Hmmm, extra dry cappuccino. Yay! No cash. Pay with card. Yuck, no change. Off again, this time I see the bank. Great. Pay hydro bill. Take out 40 dollars. Hmm, no change. Need Sharpies for homework... Ahh good, change. Off to London Drugs. 8 Sharpies, a travel mug and some hand wipes later I am the proud owner of 4 toonies, one loonie and 7 pennies. (Also a five dollar bill but it hardly seems worth mentioning) Change at last. Back to the car. Reading the time prices I learn that I need two dollars and 50 cents. Ok. Oh damn, I only have toonies, a loonie and 7 pennies. Hey, I am parked beside a Tim Horton's. Perfect. I saunter in. Should I go to the till? Would that be rude? I already have a coffee. Hmmm. I look around for change victims... and then I see them. Two aging gentlemen (I say aging because old simply does not fit) are sitting at a nearby table enjoying a coffee on a hot summers afternoon. They are dressed for the occasion in their cardigans with their silver hair slicked back and good shoes on. "Hello, would one of you happen to have four quarters that you'd be willing to trade for a loonie ?" As soon as the words were out of my mouth both gentlemen began to warn me off the other.

"I think I may have quarters"
" I just used the last of my change on coffee. You better watch that guy he'll try to give you three quarters for your loonie"
"I'll bet he's fibbing you, he's got more quarters than I do."
"Don't worry I have a grandfather who tries to pull stuff, I know your tricks."
"Well missy, you have never met the likes of Bob here"
"I learned it from you, you old codger."

I had to laugh. I traded carefully,then thanked them dearly and wished them a wonderful day.

I was finally triumphant. Armed with my new shiny quarters I marched purposefully towards my car and as the meter changed from 00:01 to a flashing 00:00 I popped my change into its mouth. Quite delighted with the recent chain of events I took myself back to the coffee shop. Once there I did study like a madman for a few hours but then decided that the events of the day needed to be recorded.

Voila.

Hello.

My brain hurts. I like my new home though. Smells like paint still. Our little Amber is growing up. Work, work, work. My hat is old, my teeth are gold, and now my story is all told.

A Secret

I have a secret! I don't usually have any... I am terrible at keeping my own secrets. Other people's are not a problem, its simply not my place to tell but I have no such qualms about my own. This secret though, I am going to try to keep for at least five months as it is rather large. No, mom and dad, I am not pregnant.

Work.

Here I am, at the station again. Making pancakes for myself and Marc. Have I mentioned that I love my job? You can't beat blood, guts and pancakes!

Interesting Weekend :)

Saturday night we feasted on an amazing dinner. There was good food, great wine, good music and conversation. We had Thai wraps with very hot sauce and sushi. By the end of the evening we were all very full and quite rosy. And just to top things off we finished with champagne and raspberry creme brulees. The fun carried on well into the wee hours. The next morning I dragged my butt out of bed and went to mass where I witnessed my second baptism... much better than the first! There were some jokes made but it didn't take away from the integrity of the ceremony. After I went home, picked up Swati and we went to the Siek Temple (we had been invited the day before by the wonderful nurse). We were planning to just go for lunch but we ended up catching the last bit of their prayer session. The women were beautiful. Rich, colourful saris, praying and singing in soft voices, their gold bracelets jangling. The Lady who invited us came and sat by us and I was awed. She had transformed from the wonderful nurse who I had never seen wearing anything but scrubs into this beautiful, numinous very feminine creature who simply flowed. Then the food started... The women and children sat in the main room and the men off in a side room. Metal trays with separated sections built into them were set out on the floor along with metal cups. Most of the setting out was done by three little boys all under the age of eight. One of them had been promoted to Pourer of Water and was taking his new job very seriously but the water jug was approximately a quarter of his size and so much of its contents were distributed vigorously into and around the cups. The food was amazing. Two or three women came around with metal and plastic buckets of steaming hot exotic smelling entrees. One of the plastic buckets had originally held OxyClean, I enjoyed that. As the food was served and the eating began the conversation flowed. It was wonderful to listen to, a sea of swirling female voices communicating in Punjabi. As I was sitting there on the floor, lost in the sights, sounds and smells a shill little voice pipes up " I aam Unnderwear!!" I had to laugh, that was the only English I had herd in the last fifteen minutes. The owner of the voice was a five year old boy who was now busily devouring his mothers strawberries. About half way through the meal Swati made the mistake of getting up and refilling her water. Unbeknownst to us the proper etiquette is to call for one of the serving women to get whatever you need more of, even if you are sitting right beside it. Very different culture, try that in the Leake residence and you will get your head served to you instead. All in all it was a very different and wonderful experience but my day was not over yet. Later in the afternoon I received a distress call from a good friend of mine and Sarah and her posse rode to the rescue. ;) Girls stick together.

A very interesting weekend!

Spring

Spring is a wonderful thing.. A wonderful thing is spring! Heehee! Ach, there's nothing quite like the muddy nakedness of the thaw. I am having a perfectly wonderful day! I wish I could share it.

There was an elephant in the clouds!

The other day I was flying with Glen out to some forsaken place to pick up a crushed limb, I was sick as a dog as there was some turbulence and no air, when I had to step back. I had just received an email from an old acquaintance looking to rekindle. I looked back on the events of the last year or so and pondered what has happened, what may have been avoided, what had to occur for other greater things to come to pass, how I wouldn't change anything. As I stared blankly out the window I happened to spot a trunk and upon closer scrutiny found a whole elephant connected to it. I laughed! In that moment I realized that God is not worried about all these little things and if He's no than I shouldn't be. Everything happens for a reason, if things are supposed to happen they will... if not, they won't. I do believe He has a sense of humour and He let me in on a little joke. So with a new out look and feeling re-energized I was back in my motion sick, airless, going to go help someone deal with their pain world. Thanks God, I love elephants!

Books

Books are marvelous things. They have the power to take you away from your world and worries. You are sucked into another place where other people have worries and all you have to do is read on, all the solutions are there just waiting to be revealed. No worry involved... on your part. :)

As I ponder

Life is sure exciting. All sorts of things coming and going. Meeting new people. Moving on. Big decisions. I'm not quite sure what to make of all this, so I shall not. I shall simply continue to hang on for dear life and remember to enjoy the ride.