things to remember

Well, today being October 28th, 2009- marks 2 things.

First of all, exactly 3 months since I arrived in this city of St John's. After 3200 km of driving, the last 900 or so of that being across this huge island known as 'the Rock', Brian and I arrived as the sun was setting on that evening in late July. It felt weird. Kind of surreal, especially after our epic road trip through Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the ferry ride across the gulf of St Lawrence to the northwestern tip of Newfoundland. And now, here I am. I can say that it feels like home here. For that I am thankful. I've learned that its possible for many places to be home, and to have multiple 'homes' at once. Its an adventure.

Secondly, exactly 18 months since a Tim Hortons coffee in Victoria, BC where Brian and I started our (official) journey together. Now here we are, on the other side of the country. So thankful for where we have come, what we have learned and how we have grown- looking forward to more adventures together.

It's a long and rugged road and we don't now where it's headed

But we know it's going to get us where we're going

And when we find what we're looking for we'll drop these bags and search no more

Cause it's going to feel like heaven when we're home

It's going to feel like heaven when we're home

- the Wailin'Jennys, "Heaven When We're Home"

Just breathe

Not feeling particularly inspired to write anything right now but I don't like leaving on a grumpy note as per previous post... so I will attempt to get out a little thought or two.

There is a ray of semi-sunshine shining through my window- wait, it just turned into real sunshine- which makes me happy. It's been very soggy here lately. Lots of rain and wind. They say that it rains horizontally in Newfoundland because of the wind and I would say that is true.

It's October 20 today. I have been in St. John's for almost 3 months. hard to believe. I definitely feel more settled here than I did even a month ago. It all takes time, though. Still sometimes feel as though I'm wandering in a fog... literally and figuratively.

I've been reading the Chronicles of Narnia- in order- I have a book with all 7 of the books in it that I never have actually read until now (I'd only read some of the 7). It's such a good story.

Prince Caspian... From Aslan.

Then, after an awful pause, the deep voice said, "Susan." Susan made no answer but the others thought she was crying. "You have listened to fears, child," said Aslan. "Come, let me breathe on you. Forget them. Are you brave again?"

~~~~

nocturnal

I am just not a happy camper right now. I had to work night shift last night.. and tonight... and tomorrow night. Bleh!! I don't mind one, but any more than that is too much. I don't get enough sleep, I feel gross, I miss out on doing things, miss out on seeing the rest of the world when they are in their fun acitivites after work. Also, today was blue sky sunny, which we havent seen for at least a week, and I had to spend it sleeping. Shift work is so annoying sometimes. It feels like you are at odds with the rest of the world and its 9-5, mon-fri rhythm.

Grumpy and annoyed. Argh. It better be a good shift. Last night it was, though.

On the bright side of things these are the last 2 night shifts before I switch to a casual status employee, then I can schedule myself to never be working more than 1 night in a row. And I plan on doing just that.

Alright, here goes..

fall days

It's another cloudy day here in St. John's. We seem to be getting a lot of them lately... or maybe it's just that they fall on my days off. Ah well.

Had a lovely weekend- went for a great hike, and did orienteering on Sunday. I love backpacking. I love being out there, along the edge of the ocean. The salty spray smells so good, those 'ocean mist' air fresheners have nothing on the real thing. Also, we saw REAL seafoam coming down from the waves, white tufts of bubbles. And I love the taste of food when you're out hiking- soup and crackers, cheese, mango, and dark chocolate... mmmm. Everything is better outside.

This weekend is packed full or work but I'll get through it. Can't believe that it's already October. Less than 3 months till Christmas. 3 months till 2010. 2010, can you believe it? But I don't want it to hurry too much. I want to savour the fall. Before I get wallopped with my first Newfoundland winter. Apparently, all signs point to it being a big one.

'how they shimmer and shine so bright'

Last night Brian and I walked around, up, and down Signal Hill. Signal Hill is a classic St. John's landmark, it's a rocky hill at the entrance to the harbour. From one side, you can see the city, and from the other, the open blue Atlantic. I love it.

The sun was setting as we started out, it was dusk as we made our way around the rocky side of the hill, and by the time we got to the oceanward part the stars were out. Lots of stars. I saw a shooting star, and there we were, right on the edge of the city. That made my night.

Today is a blustery and rainy day but I had a lovely little lunch date at the Pantry, a little restaurant-cafe tucked at the foot of the hill in Pippy Park. It was a leisurely lunch, the best kind.

Now I go to the ER for the night. Let's hope its calmer than the weather. You never, ever really know though. Though that makes this job exciting.

small things

3 weeks later already... time is flying here. Today is the official halfway point of September.
The air is crisp in St. John's and fall is definitely in the air. No leaves changing colour yet, but I'm sure it's coming.

It's been interesting here. This move has not been easy. If I look back, when I moved to Victoria it was difficult. When I moved to Vancouver a few months later it was also a big challenge. And now here, in St. John's, it has been no different. As I should know and expect. But it turns out that after I am nice and settled into a place, I forget the rocky time at the beginning as it fades into distant memory... hence, I kind of forgot what it was like to move. But, that will come again.

There were a couple sunny spots to this past weekend. On Saturday, Brianne and Robert-- Lindi's cousin/ my friend and her fellow- invited Brian and I over for a BBQ. It was just lovely. I have been aching a bit for that kind of fellowship and there it was. We sat in the kitchen with grilled chicken to perfection, golden corn on the cob (a rareity in these parts, such good produce!) and a splash of red wine. Good conversation and good fun was had by all.

Then, Sunday morning. Decided to try out a new little church, and it also happened to be the first Sunday that this church, Mosaic, was having their service in the morning instead of night. They are a small church which is held in the chapel on the Memorial campus.... and it was great. We walked in there, and people were SO friendly. They have half an hour before the service where you can just drink coffee and eat goodies and chat... met some really nice people. And it was authentic and though-provoking and reverent and worshipful and inspiring... and full of love. As someone pointed out to me, "Your heart was smiling there, wasn't it". Yes, it truly was. Looking forward to going back.

Sunday afternoon Brian and I went to the first introductory meeting of the St John's orienteering club. This involved being handed a map with flags on it, and running along the trails/ tramping through the underbrush trying to find the elusive (some of them) hidden flags. It was great fun. We'll do it again, thats for sure.

And its thing's like these that slowly help to make this quirky city poised on the edge of the north Atlantic more like home.

Unhindered

Today I was in orientation at work... it was pretty short actually. We started at 9 and then ended about 2. It's a nice break from the 12 hour shifts. Learned about all sorts of interesting things.

And then when we got 'let out', I walked home in the glorious sunshine... and glorious is not an understatement. There's something about this place when the sun is shining and it's not too hot. The sky is SO blue, the trees are SO green, the air is SO clean-feeling. I love it.

So I hopped on my bike. 25 km, to St Phillip's and back. What a spot! Winding road down to the ocean, lakes along the way. Blue sky dappled with white fluffy clouds. Waves crashing onto the round rocks, still powerful from the remnants of last night's storm. That salty spray, ocean-smell. Boats docked. Fish-and-chip place by the water. And of course nothing like a good hilly bikeride to get the heart pumping...

There is something about, when one moves to a new place, just embracing it for all it is worth. I think that this is something I've come to learn. Sometimes I feel so out of place here. At work when everyone is talking a mile a minute in the breakroom and I'm stuck trying to figure out what 'stunned' and 'contrary' and dinner instead of lunch and supper instead of dinner mean. where's ya to, 'bye? And everyone asks why i moved here- "oh you're from away then"- 'you're not a newfoundlander, are ya?" "must've followed your man"...which is usually followed by, "oh, just you wait till the winter". Yes, I will wait for the winter.. and enjoy summer while it's here, thanks very much. Ha.
While the above is all true, it is also said very good-naturedly, and Newfoundlanders are friendly people. Even if they drive crazily and their grocery stores have sub-par expensive produce and no fish sauce.
But I also do live on a giant beautiful rock, surrounded by the ocean, rich in history, wild and rugged and coastal and GOOD. and so i will continue to find little jewels such as St Phillip's and the rock above the meadow at Quidi Vidi Lake and the blueberries at Blackhead and the path beyond the lighthouse at Cape Spear.