west coast Christmas

I have started a post for this blog numerous times in the last month, but always just kinda went, "naaaah" and let it be. So I think it's about time for an update. Though I don't really have anything extremely newsworthy to say, I dont think. We'll see.

Vancouver has found itself in what the locals might call a deep freeze for the last week or so. The temperature has been sitting around -7 I think, which isnt terribly cold, but its colder than its been for a long time. For me and many others I think it just seems normal for this time of year- my roomie Jana was saying that to her it seems like a gift for those people who are missing home right now where the temperatures are much colder and there's a white Christmas- good point. Because it does look like Vancouver will get a white Christmas. I am enjoying it. Though I do miss biking to work, because the bus takes a long time. And also I have run out of bus tickets, though that is a problem that is easily fixed. I must say that Vancouver deals with the snow a lot better than Victoria (from being there last winter when it snowed once)- I guess it has to, being the bustling metropolis it is. But they do seem to have more than one snowplow at least ;).

Work has been going well, I must say that I am really getting quite used to it now, and have really increased my confidence in general for how things are run in the orthopedic trauma world. And people are funny. Here are a few random lines from patients, just from the last couple shifts, that stand out in my head...

" But how do you get a snake out of the toilet?"

" How many pieces of bone in my arm are broken? How is the surgeon going to glue them back together?"

" You and me, we went together, back in 1919"

" Nursey nursey nursey nursey!!"

"I was getting out of bed to try and fix the flat tire!"

" Will you marry me? You will get a million dollars!"

" Who looks after you while your parents are at work?"

" Find me the Chinese radio!"

All of the above are true statements by real patients at Vancouver General Hospital.

Christmas is coming. surprisingy so, I can't believe that its only 6 days ago. I'll be working the the 23rd day shift, and then the nights of the 24th and 25th. It'll be pretty different. There have already been a few "aaah i miss home and being there for Christmas!" moments. Its not easy. But I have good company here still- Mark and Hillary will still be home. And then on the 27th I am going up to Prince George for a week which will be lovely. :)

My eyes are getting blurry in tiredness so I think that's all for now.

Here are the beautiful mountains which i love so much. This is west coast. this is home. one of more than one place which i consider home, but still home. :)

the golden rays of crisp November sunshine touched on the city of Vancouver this morning. and bathed the majestic peaks of the north shore in glorious heavensent light. as the blue sky stretched overhead. and the people below saw the snow above, sprinkled over the peaks by their Maker. this is a glimpse of glory.

sushi

2 posts in one day- what is this? "It's the green tea, my friend, the green tea".

Biked to Grandview, to meet up with Nanc and coincidentally catch the tail end of their church service- then went to Tenth church (i am not trying to sound pious with these multiple churches, it's just the way things go around here on Sundays in order to hang out with good friends who attend multiple churches)...

To sum up the message we heard tonight at Tenth.. a quote from Rob Bell- "No one else gets in this specific, holy, sacred, spiritual, physical way". Marriage is a context like no other.

Went out for sushi after- hence the green tea. I love the connections that can be made with people. Often wherever you go, it seems. You did a course at my university i treeplanted with you your brother is my friend we are from the east you are going to marry that guy who is also my friend my boyfriend grew up in your town but after you you went to my school we were at the same concert in 2005 you also work at VGH you are friends with my friend we are all friends therefore...... its quite amazing.

All the cats in Vancouver come out onto the streets at precisely 11 pm. I have now witnessed it with my very eyes during a late night chat at the curb. Vancouver is beautiful at night. There is quiet and peace to be found in the sleeping streets of the city.

blue-grey-light

this has been an interesting last few days.

First of all I would like to say that I am quite pleased it is already November 16. November seemed to me such a daunting month when I first turned the calendar page. But now the halfway mark is past.

I've been a little under the weather lately and have a tendency to snuffle and sulk and become frustrated with my lackluster health status. I despise feeling ill. I don't like slowing down, I think that's the main problem. I want to not call in sick to work, I want to bike to north Van cause the weather is half decent, I want to sing my heart out in church- but all of the above will probably prolong this state. and so i just. need. to. slow. down. and i have a hard time with that. but i'll keep trying.

something that has been on my mind a bit lately is keeping in touch with people, or more the lack of such. I can (almost) count on one hand the friends from UWO that I still actively communicate with, still know what is going on with them, still call them to catch up and know what is going on with them without resorting to facebook stalking. I think it bothers me that I cant seem to keep in touch with more people. but it is something that does happen when you up and move across the country. and distance is a true test for any relationship. i seem to be learning this a lot lately.

i went on a lovely walk yesterday. there are still always places to discover around here. such as new brighton park. i guess you could say it is east Van's version of Kits beach. quite a nice spot.

You are the only constant in my life amidst the seas of change and uncertainty and hopes and dreams. People fail. You do not. Ever. Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me.

mmmm

all of a sudden it's november. it's strange. sometimes i feel like time is moving eeeeever so sloooowly... but then at the same time, i get sucked into the cycle of work work work play play and the days just tumble one after another into hindsight.

i feel like i should list some things that i am enjoying/ have enjoyed lately.

- sappy romantic movies such as 'PS I love you', and the urges they place in my heart to run off to Ireland and other such green-fielded countries

- the refreshing feeling of biking home in the rain and my favourite spot at the top of Lakewood on the way home on top of a huge hill where I can see Grouse mountain and the lights of North Van

- North vancouver itself (well the mountains behind it) and the lovely hike which we did there on Saturday.. in the rain.. it was awesome. the rain is hardly noticeable due to the high forest canopy and the huge trees... green and lush and fresh and LIFE.

- phone calls

- flannel sheets

- coffee beans

- normal bloodwork, low blood pressures, afebrile temperatures, high O2 sats, and comfortable pulses

- doxologies

Barack Obama is the president of the United States of America. I must say, I think that Americans have it down when it comes to inspiring political speeches. It almost makes me feel this old heart swell with pride and I don't even belong to that country. There's just something about it-- it works for them. Let the triumphant music roll....

mm. i have nothing deep to say at this point. lots of deeper stuff rumbling through my head. but it's clouded over with post=work induced haze. later, peeps.

mmm. not too much to say today.

just thought I better post something cause it's been a while.

anything worth fighting for takes a lot of work. but it's worth it. hold out for the good.

those are my cryptic words of wisdom for today.

biking to poco and other such things

mmm. I have discovered a wonderful new drink. Horlick's. Malty milky warm goodness. Thank you Hillary.

It is pouring rain outside. I've written so many times about how the rains are coming. I think it might be getting kind of annoying. But the weather has been pretty good so far.

Some fun stuff has happened lately. Thanksgiving weekend was great. Biked around Stanley Park. Went to a hockey game. Biked to Port Coquitlam. Went to a housewarming party. Got to go to church. Made a thanksgiving dinner with my roomies for 15 people. Thanksgiving Monday church was great- gave me joy. Made squash soup. Talked to Brian. Drank tea. Had fun.

Then I went to work. Work has been good. Not quite so busy- a bit more manageable. It helps that I had a student today. Funny- that was me six months ago. I like teaching them though. And it also is rather affirming cause I see how far I have come.

In two days I'm going to Ontario. WOOHOO!! For a week (almost) of family goodness.