dreaming over the ocean

The new year is here, and I haven't written my "100 best things of 2016" post yet.  I promise I will write it before the end of the month!  If you got our Christmas newsletter, you will know that 2016 wasn't always a walk in the park. It was not bad, it just was not always easy.  Honestly, I don't know that 2017 will be any easier, but I certainly know that I have many things I am already looking forward too. Of course, one might ask if I have New Years resolutions.  I didn't have any, until today.  One of them is blogging more... sitting at my computer, and writing out my thoughts.  I have used this blog over the years for many reasons, but this year, I don't want to write about the things I have written about before.  Of course, posts might contain thoughts on racing, adventure, dogs, work, etc... cause, that's me!  But I want to get back to writing for the therapeutic aspect of it. I am going to write about being in the wife of someone who li...

I really ought to start writing short, frequent blogs.  But, seriously... who has time!?!? What has been going on in this little life of mine!? Well, I have been hammering out personal best times : In February, at the First Half Marathon, I ran a PB of 1:42:52. In March, I didn't race. In April, I ran a "almost" PB of 47:33, having done a 115km bike ride the day before with lots of climbing. In May, I ran *another* Half Marathon PB of 1:40:46 at the Vancouver BMO race. Of course, in order to do all that personal best racing, I also have to be training hard.  Training hard, but maintaining sanity is my motto these days. I have been working working working hard.  It has been very busy at Primary Outreach Services, and I have been really enjoying the work with the clients & am excited about the "system" changes that are happening at work.  Its new and exciting.   Its also stressful at times. I have also had the chance to take a great little get aw...

It has obviously been quite quiet in the blog-o-sphere around here recently.  And, I'm ok with that.  But, I do love blogging.  I just think that the blog has become a little different for me in the past 6 months.  I think that in school, my blog tends to be a time that I can get away from the stress, vent a bit, reflect a bit, and keep people updated.  Now that i am not in school, the stress of academia has decreased, and I find that blogging about things like... my triathlon training... can be a bit bland.  so, let's talk about the major amazing lovely love fest that happened a few weeks ago. getting married is awesome. what a week of crazy emotions.   I felt the saddest that I have maybe ever experienced, with the loss of my sister.  I'm still very sad about that, and I know that I will never stop missing her.  here are some photos of her and i together, then some shots of her a few years ago, while working at Pioneer camps. ...

I know that it has been WAY to quiet around this blog for too long.  I have no excuse, other than doing my planning for the wedding.  It's coming up, and in 9 days, I'm going to be a Mrs. Last weekend, two of the folks at St James Anglican Church were kind enough to offer us an "Engagement session."  Chris and Elisha are in the process of "rebranding" and think that it is great to be able to give back to our faith community by taking some photos of some of the people in the church.  It was quick and dirty (about 45 mins) but tons of fun.  Their website  has more of their work, and of course, facebook. We are really thankful that they were able to give us this gift!  and, man oh man... do we look good.

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...

For the first time since being in Malawi, I have felt the pangs of homesickness.  And, it sucks.  homesickness just makes you feel sad, even if you are so happy with where you are.  I think it is due to a few factors: sean visited, and he went home last monday morning.  and, I miss him.  despite the fact that i am enjoying not cooking for myself, i am missing things like Big Ass Salads. and grapefruit. and smoothies.  and greek yogurt.  and things that are not deep fried. i am feeling like i am getting a rice gut.  and, i am getting some exercise (running 3x a week, swim 1x a week, and am starting to do yoga on the other days), but, it is just not the same.  I really really miss my bike.  riding on the back of a bicycle taxi is just not the same. i struggle with the balance of wanting people contact, but not wanting to spend all my time with ex-pats, and also not having found solid malawian friends yet.  i miss my friends. ...

This morning, I went out to the Chikela airport outside of Blantyre to drop off my beloved, after having him in Malawi for about 12 days.  It was so amazing to have him here... and, now, it is time to get back to "work."  Albeit, "work" here in Malawi seems so much different from work back in Montreal. After the 9 day holiday and a few days in Blantyre that we had together, there is lots to report on about the amazing things that we saw and experienced and people we met.  Like traveling to Likoma island.  And seeing monkeys in Monkey bay.  And seeing hippos and elephants in Liwonde national park.  And seeing fantastic rural community initiative projects.  It was a refreshing (though, somewhat tiring) time.  So, wait for the upcoming posts on those items! The boy i like was off this morning, to get back to "Real life." back to a place which is pretty much the furthest away possible from me on this earth.  back to a long distance relationsh...

so, the other day, I had the first conversation where training got in the way of "life."  I mean, there have been other times, but, this time was the first time I had a conversation where I realized that not everyone thinks that my way of prioritizing is "normal." the conversation went something like this, at about 10 pm: "well, I have a 2-hr bike ride for sometime tomorrow and swim practice in the morning.  And a dentist appointment.  and work.  Do you want to join me for the bike ride?" "hmmm, sure, that sounds good.  What time?" "Well, I was thinking after I get back from work." "when are you working until?" "7pm" "ummmm.  you want to ride at 7:30, for 2 hours?  when are you doing to eat dinner?" "well, after?" "errrr... isn't eating just as important as training?" "well, yes.  but, i will  eat.  just after riding." .... quizzical  stare. "i mean, it...

One of the things that I said to the boy that I like love, when I first started dating him was "Listen up, buddy.  I am flexible with a lot of things, but, one of those things is NOT living in Edmonton for the rest of my life.  I just will not do it.  SO, if you plan on this being a long-term relationship, you need to realize that you will have to eventually move out of this city."   That was 3 weeks in. and, his response?  "Eh.  Ok.  I'm good with that.  I've just been looking for an excuse to move anyway." but, all that being said, It means that I have spent the last two summers in this city.  And, I don't mind, because I get to be with him.  However, what I do mind, is the mosquitos.  They are so bad, they are covered by our national news.    and, of course, the local newspaper .  Swarmed by blood thirsty mosquitos. i hate that. however, all that being said, the summer is not that bad in this city.

So, after a 1/2 ironman, and two olympic distance Events in less than a month, all I can say is..... PHEW!  my body hurts!     Honestly, I always say that I love racing so much more than training.  I mean, if there is not a goal at the end of the tunnel, why would we bother?  but honestly, at the end of the day, your body just says WHOA.  slow down there. and, it is that time.  I have a rest week this week.  I might even skip my ever-loved outdoor pool master's class.  I  will only race another two races this season.  A 10km trail run in mid-July, and a 1/2 iron on the 21st of August.  Then, it will be off to my love.  Then, it will be off to Africa. There is so much to do between now and then.  Like the getting my eyeglasses.  And the dentist appointments.  and the doctor appointment (all this week). and the waiting for my new passport. and the applying for a Malawi Student Visa.  and buying a plane ...

so, i guess the way to start this to to say:  "well, it turns out that the boy i like, is actually the boy i love." post race was spent in the hotel, lounging while watching the Canucks game (right... ice hockey while in Hawaii!), and eating a ginormous meal for dinner.  The plan was to go to the Mauna Kea Observatory , but the drive up and back would take at least 4 hours, and it would (obviously) be at night.  Not necessarily the best idea for the evening/night after a 1/2 ironman! so, we woke up on sunday after a lovely (surprizingly, for being in the same room as two boys who really like to snore) sleep, and went out for some coffee.  Then, of course went for second breakfast... at the buffet.  and, subsequently stuffed ourselves again.  then, it was a little lagoon lounging at the hotel, and off for the afternoon activities!    I have added pictures, but, I thought that i would leave the report up to the boy.  'Cause it was all him. ...

and, just before i go to sleep, after my flights from edmonton to calgary to montreal.  i thought i would give you a photo or two from the weekend.  it was delightful.  and sunny. and fun.  it was EASTER! so very very very nice to see the boy i like for a great weekend away. more to come, though!  and, you gotta admit.  we are just way to cute. ;)