dreaming over the ocean

so, you may wonder why I have not taken the time to more fully comment on what my reactions are on the Haiti earthquake... and, I suppose as I sit here this morning, it is because the words have not been able to come to me in the first few days. i remember when a friend of mine told me about it. and thinking "wow really? i can't believe it." just being in a state of ignorant disbelief. that first day that we heard about it, i didn't really feel. it just was... these things happen, i guess. there have been a lot of things that have been going on this week with people who are close to me here. major things, and times that needed to be dedicated to other people who needed a coffee. a lunch. a listen. but then. it wasn't until the next day that i started to feel. and it was when i was sitting alone at home, and turned on the national. and as I watched peter mansbridge outline the destruction, it became much more real. to see places that you have seen. walk...

so, I would just like to make a comment... remember how a few days ago, i was missing my Teen Missions Team kids? well, still kinda at that point. and, i just watched a video of two of them... here it is. it just shows you how awesome, and hilarious, they are. boys will be boys!

So, I am working on something right now for the kids that I went to Haiti with. For some reason, I have been missing them a lot recently. Taking this saturday to relax, to work out, and to catch up on things that I have been putting off during exams. It is a beautiful sunny, snowy, and *cold* day out there. but, one of those days that you just feel happy to wake up too. It is amazing, because I remember when I had returned from my first trips with Teen Missions interational to Africa, and how long it took for me not to think of those trips from a day-to-day basis. How hard it was to adjust to life back in "the real world." And, so, I wonder how they are doing right now. When I look at the photos of these teenagers, I just know how some of them are going to really continue to excel in the future. I know that for some of them, it is going to be a struggle. I know that all of them are going to continue to face the challenges that arise in being a teenager these days. and...

outward bound quote of the day: "Change is inevitable, enjoy it. " - Dr Brian Smith and, another video for you all... I am progressively uploading onto youtube, so you can look me up "roweramo" Many of them will be linked here, but not all of them. so have fun! i have had fun with them...

get ready to laugh....

so, right off the bat, i want to comment on some amazing happenings in my life right now... When I got back to Canada, I was a little overwhelmed with what I was supposed to be doing. And, i wanted to try and work, and i wanted to "do" stuff. And, it was amazing, 'cause the God just told me: "no, don't do anything. savour your time. savour your relationships. savour your home. relax. and, ps... trust. 'cause I will provide." and, in the short time that I have been home, i have been greatly blessed with all of it. yesterday, I found out that I may have the possibility of a job already in MOntreal, coaching rowing. Also, today, when I woke up, I found an email saying that I am approved for a student loan. amazing. it is amazing when you know that "all things work together for good..." (Rom 8:28). in other worlds, can I say how wonderful it is to get running and cycling and swimming again?! dang... it feels so good! (the first little w...

so, I am adding pdf of a newsletter that I have written as a follow-up to my trip. If you were one of my supporters, or were prayer partner for me, you should be receiving a hard copy in the mail soon! (Although it leaves a paper trail, it is always nice to read something on paper...) I hope you enjoy the newsletter: it is not super long, but it is super fancy ;) Let me know if you would like to have a hard copy of it, or if there is anyone else that you think would enjoy to have a copy. Please keep in touch! I would love to hear from you :) click on images to enlarge!

Following bootcamp, we flew down to Port-au-Prince, Haiti. We arrived on about the 20th of June, and prepared for our trip up to the project site. We were met my Lance Ware, the missionary that we would be working with, and others from his ministry. We were lucky that all but two bags showed up... however... the two peices of luggage that were not there were our oven, and a water igloo packed with food, and other kitchen supplies. needless to say, because we didn't have the oven, we did a lot of cooking with oil for that first week and a half... we piled up into the vans, and it was a typical "developing country ride." squishing too many people, and too much luggage into a small-ish vehicle, driving like mad through the city, all while avoiding potholes, other vehicles, and random people in the streets. My first impression while driving out of the airport was "dang... this is so much like africa." and, although there are a good number of similarities, it ...

so, today i kinda realized what it is like to be home. it is amazing to be here, but is is also strange to be in such an odd place of transition. home, but not quite home (staying at a friend's place). here, but not quite here (montreal in 20 days!). so much to do (savour vancouver), but nothing to do (no work, no school!). and, it is funny, because I know that the older I get, and the more times that I do this, the easier it is, but i also know that it is not easy. it is not easy to miss the kids that I have just spent 2 months with. it is not easy to try to explain the experience, but know that people just do not understand. it is not easy to arrive back into technology. vanity. ease of life. and think back about what i just experienced and what i just saw. it is not always easy not to be surrounded by people who share the same faith as you. it is not easy to know that big transitions are knocking on my door. but, it is also nice to be here. it is nice to see my friends, and ...

so, back in vancouver. being a hermit for a least a day while i get un-tired, and a little less overwhelmed. sorry I have not been able to update while I have been away in florida, and onto Haiti... computer access has been... well... limited? to say the least!? (can we talk about the 400+ emails in my inbox?!) It has been a fantastically amazing summer, with lots of stories. challenges. love. miracles. life changes. I am happy to be back, and will be so excited to be able to share some of the adventures!

and, in vancouver that means a few things: first, the cherry blossoms come out. and, cherry blossoms are pretty much the best natural thing in vancouver in the spring. I was running the other day, with a little breeze, and it was beautiful to have pink pedals falling around me, with a beautiful smell to add too it. it also means that it is NHL playoff season . which, if you don't know, is a bandwagon to hop onto when you are a canadian. I am currently watching game 3 of the canucks vs st louis blues. (blues just scored this second, making it a 2-2 game... dang. this is an exciting game. i wish that i had more than a fuzzy television to watch it on) The other night, i was watching game 2, with a co-worker friend of mine (at her friend's place). we rode our bikes back after the game, and it was very much a "i am a college freshman" moment. christine's bike is a crappy old mountain bike, it was warm, lateish at night, she is wearing a ~15 year old hockey jersey...

so, life is good. life is very good :) amazing things that have happened recently, and are going to happen... I am a master of science in rehabilitation. I completed my M.Sc Thesis defense with great comments and positive feedback. the presentation was great, and i knew the answers to all the questions. I have gotten into McGill University for a direct-entry, 3 year, master of nursing program which will allow me to be a RN, and also focus on global/international healthcare. I am going to haiti over the summer. In a week and a half, I am racing my first 1/2 ironman, and while I am at it, I get to see two of the people that I love the most in the world. Life is good. And, it feels like I am walking 3 feet off the ground these days. and, in all honestly, it is a little overwhelming. but, you know. in a good way ;)

I have had a lot of individuals recently find my site by searching for my friend Jessie Vredevelt. Her younger brother, Nathan, was hit by some vehicles last week on an interstate in Portland. A story can be found here . The website that Jessie set up is set up here. May Nathan rest in peace, and may light perpetual shine upon him. Amen. ---------------------------------- So, this post is going to be a compilation of a few things. I still gotta keep it brief, because, apparently, the work isn't done yet. I have a paper outline for my medical anthropology course dues on friday, and I have to start preparing my powerpoint for my defense (2 weeks away! eep!!!) first, here is my first letter regarding my trip to haiti this summer... (i will put up some templates that can be zoomed in on, soon... so you can read them!) ------------ Lastly, I want to comment on triathlon stuff. I have a mere 4 weeks until I am down in New Orleans, racing my first 70.3 distance triathlon. I have no idea ...