dreaming over the ocean

Being back in Vancouver has been great... since I have arrived, things have pretty much been perfect.   TIme to do school work, catch up on sleep, spend time with my beloved, relax, and workout.  some of the highlights: Date nights:  On friday night, the boy and I went to a movie, and then out for a nice dessert on the water.  it was nice to be able to, after having spent the whole day inside writing my paper, and getting over tiredness, just to spend quality time together.  To communicate, to laugh, and to just enjoy the company.  Last night, we did our "make up for a lost valentines day" date.  We dressed up all fancy, and went to eat at an expensiveish resaturant, Nuba ; we then walked around gastown (and, when i say walked around, we walked all of two blocks) to find a place to grab a dessert and cocktail.  we were successful, and Pourhouse even had live music which included men with fedora's, playing a stand-up base.  shoppi...

if you like, or don't like Valentine's day, i don't really care.  I also don't care that my valentine's day post is a day late.  It was busy day yesterday.  And, I get to see that fantastic boy today.  so, in my books, that is all that matters in this regard. I do find it rather hilarious that people either love Valentine's day, or hate it.  there is not too many in-betweeners.  people are either smooshy, or bitter.  I do feel a little 'meh' about it.  doesn't really matter either way.  admittedly, if that boy just washed over it, with no recognition, I would kinda be sad about it. but, in the blog-o-sphere people share valentines day love things.  So, I have made a complilation of some of my favourite this year.  They are worth watching and reading.  love brings warmth to the heart.  no matter what. From Longreads :   100 Ways to Say I love you.  From 22 Words: People on the street saying "I love you" in ma...

So, a little bit more of a "godly" post. This week has been challenging, in many ways.  I think that was clear in my last post.  but SO SO SO many things to be thankful about.  i think it started out with a great service at church yesterday... we are working through Acts, and we read Chapter 14.  and, i just loved it... I don't really expect that Paul and Barnabas were expecting the reaction they got from the crowd after then performed their miracle... "Um.  wait a minute... we aren't gods.  God is God. Not us! shoot.  that's not what we meant for you to think." Can we say "cultural mis-understanding?!?!" how often do cultural understandings like that happen in our lives... maybe more often for some people, than others... but, every time they do happen... kinda funny. we also, during our version of the  prayers of the people  , we started talking/listing things to be thankful for.  and, it definently helps to list those things out ...

and, right now is one of those times.  I was in Edmonton last week, for a family thing.  not a great family thing, but a family thing nonetheless.  Because I was there, it meant that I also missed a week of school stuff, and productive work time. I arrived back to Montreal this week, and have felt like i have been consistently walking around with tears welling up in my eyes.   For some reason, montreal never makes me feel "Sigh, I'm back at home."  or "sigh, i love being here." there are nice things about it... but it is not the feeling that I get in other places.  I almost cried in yoga on tuesday, when I looked at my Chitenje (African cloth used for various things , most notably carrying children on a back, and wrapped around as a skirt) that I had brought to cover myself up at the end of the session to stay warm.  i think i just looked at it and thought "damn... what would I do to be back there..."   i miss malawi. ...

I know that this is kinda a moot point~  because there are lots of people who need lots of things, and everyone has a different reason to be asking for money.  but, I thought that I would blog on it soon... I have some friends in Malawi, Sanderson and Lawrence, who are 19 and 21.  They are trying to get through secondary school, and are in form 1 and 2... which is our equivalent to grade 7 and 8.  Their school fees for the rest of the year are 75$ between the two of them.  Before leaving Malawi, I was able to pay for the first half of the fees, directly to the school (I have the bank account info).  I then encouraged them to seek out tourists to climb mt mulanje, so that they can pay for the rest of the fees.  This is difficult, due to the rainy season, and lack of tourists.  They also have their mother, who is getting treatment for a major thyroid problem, which compounds on the fees. at any rate, I am unable to help... I have no mo...