Salt Spring

This weekend we had a girls weekend away to Salt Spring Island (Loreili, Sarah, Leah and I). This is the island where Leah spent many of her 'growing up' years so she was the best guide one could hope for. We stayed at a Forest Retreat Hostel which had tree houses and gypsy caravans available as well...although we stayed in the 'French Country' room surrounded by sunflowers. It's a beautiful island. We spent time at the local lookouts, lakes (that's me and Sarah in the water) and markets. Great getaway location. Even if it's a bit rampant with the ol' "wacky tabacky" as I quickly found out from a lady at the market trying to sell me her paraphenalia. Yes, it's a very "organic" island which is great if you're looking for gluten free/wheat free food! Yummo.

Oh and final "fact" for the day. When you buy/play Scrabble in Canada, it comes with two playing boards - one in French and one in English. Crazily cool. Oh and if anyone's interested, yes I won. :)

University of British Columbia

So far (as geeky as it sounds!) school has been great. One week of lectures already completed...and pretty interesting thus far. I'm taking courses in: Human Rights in Asia, the Legal System in Asia, Homicide and International Law. Managed to catch the bus (woah!) which is about a 45 min ride in the morning and a 30 min ride home. Plus, didn't get lost around campus which was a miraculous blessing! Haha. So yeah...that's about all there is to report there...other than the stackload of assignments to get into over the next 3/4 months - which may result in a drastic reduction of blog entries and pics (but not for too long :). No pics for this one but I'm sure you could look up the campus on the net if you were really eager!

Rodeo Roadtrip

Then there was the spontaneous, random rodeo road trip with Sarah to her sister's house in Kelowna (Okanagan). It was a BEAUTIFUL six hour drive of trees, mountains, abundance of greenery and what not. Deer on the road too. Sadly there was a bit of smoke in the air (so much that the moon was glowing red!) due to an ongoing forest fire in the States which has since crossed the border to Canada. It was a brief trip hanging out with Sarah's family (including cute 7 year old Malcolm). But the definite highlight (other than cruising through Canada in a flash car with loud country (and other) music) was the rodeo/stampede. It was one of the largest of its kind and while I couldn't capture the event on camera...it was definitely an amazing event. The shows included the littlest horses and carts racing crazily, barrel racing where these ladies on horses (they looked like Macleod's daughters) raced as fast as possible to beat times - one even crashed into the fence. Oops. And then there was the usual bucking horse and bull rides. It was an exhilirating experience. Plus there was a fair full of country bumpkin paraphenalia (animals on display, corn dogs, caramel apples, cross stitch competitions etc...) Definitely a winner of a weekend. Then a return ride home and school the next day...

Vancouver Island

Wow. It has been awhile. So I shall do the events of the last few days (has it been weeks!?) in sequence.

I went to Vancouver Island to visit a good friend Melissa and her hubby Tyler and baby Noah (Nearly 2)...plus one more on the way. It was such a lovely, relaxing time at Parksville which is a small town with a similar feel to Woodend. I was able to meet some local young mums at a mum's group as well as witness some amazing sand castle competitions. Noah was adorable (He wanted you to know that this toy train is his)! And it was great to catch up with friends of kindred spirit and discuss fun memories, mission work, YWAM, future plans, travelling, countries, how we've changed and grown, Western culture and so on. Encouraging and relaxing. Hope to return before heading home...Oh, and Tyler - so sorry, after all that talk...I never did end up getting a photo of the entire family for my blog!!! Oops. Haha. Next time!!!

Grouse

Today we hiked up the Grouse Mountain. Despite being commercialised and full of tourists who chose to catch the gondola up, the top did hold spectacular views. And we did actually catch the very-vertical gondola down. But, the best part of all...I saw my first bear. Okay, okay, I admit it was a bear habitation and no, we didn't just stumble across a couple Grizzlies during our hike...but still, it was a pretty exhilirating experience! Then we went to the amazing IKEA...and then out for sushi. Yes, the holiday just goes on and on...as several people have commented already! Haha. But not for much longer, don't worry! The supposed 'purpose' of this 'exchange' shall soon be commenced...but not for a few more days yet...Tomorrow I depart on a ferry to Vancouver Island to see old-time friends Melissa and Alisha and their new familes. Then on Saturday will accompany Sarah to Kelowna/Okanagan to visit her sister. Apparently, it's a breathtaking 4 1/2 hour drive...so am looking forward to it...in true denial of the massive workload around my corner! It's a long weekend in BC too...so to everyone...have a great weekend!!!

Anvil Peak

Hiya, here are some pics from when we tramped up to the peak of Anvil Island. They were on Leah's camera because I didn't cart mine up there. Can you believe that the guy in the background carried this whole watermelon up the mountain in his pack!? I enjoyed the fruits of his labour (bad pun I know). Yesterday we went to UBC Campus where I start school next Tuesday (scary!). I was able to orient myself with the bus stop, Law School building and library, bookstore and Starbucks on campus (of course!). Don't get me wrong - I am NOT becoming a conformist. However, my two Vancouver friends insisted on pointing out the Starbucks and explaining the essential differences between an inferior licensed one and an original one. I'm a little nervous about catching the bus and starting school in a completely new surrounding. The campus is about the size of Rangiora. Woah. But I'm sure after a few days...I'll be well-adapted and into the books. Not exactly sure what I'll write about on my blog then! But we'll see...

Hi de ho Happy Campers

Hi there...yes it's been over a week and that's because I have been at Anvil Island as a counsellor at a summer camp for teens (aged 16 - 18 years). Was an interesting week full of highlights, challenges and the odd pang of homesickness. Beautiful scenery. It takes a 2 hour trip on a chartered boat to the island. Once there, it's an experience of ice-cold swimming off the dock, boat trips, wakeboarding (not personally experienced), hard core tramps to the peak, yummy-as food (!), new faces, team challenges, chants, mascots, lots of roaming deer, minimal sleep, duct-tape crafts, loads of youthful exuberance, theme parties (super hero bbq - our cabin were carebears, Gotham City Charity ball / Masquerade, Hawaiian party on the dock, coffee house talent show), lots of dancing, music, singing, teaching, sharing, lunchtime cabin skits, a huge pudding fight...and so on. Yes, another jampacked week making new friends and accumulating stackloads of laundry to be completed on my arrival home. Beautiful weather. One more week until school starts. Until then...laundry...hanging out...will be going to Vancouver Island for a couple days at some stage...and catching up on all my e-mails too! Take care. Sonya.

So much to see

Hi all. I haven't been keeping completely up with world news...but I did manage to avoid the recent security increases (ie no handluggage/liquids etc) and extra airport delays as I flew out of LA on that very day. So I'm relieved about that because LA airport is a mission of its own already! Have been pretty busy since arriving in Vancouver (hence a few days before a blog update!). And unfortunately, I've been forgetting to take my camera to places...so only have a few limited photos to show for it!

Vancouver is a beautiful place full of various parks, recreational activities, walks, bike routes etc. There is the Queen Elizabeth Park just 2.5 blocks walk away - large, beautifully maintained gardens...and I saw my first wild squirrel!

One day Sarah and I ran/walked the Sea Wall which is this path that runs along the sea and loops around. It's 10km of gloriousness with a cool sea breeze. I shall get a pic of that soon. Definitely a highlight. That time I saw a turtle swimming in the water and we also picked blackberries off the lining bushes. Something about fruit picked straight from the tree. Yum!

Another highlight is FRISBEE Golf. I purchased my own disc yesterday - a raspberry pink one, of course! I'm a complete rookie but it's such a great sport that it just doesn't matter...except for the time when I missed the goal completely and my disc fell smack in the middle (note, not anywhere near the edge!) of the pond so that Nate (Leah's husband) had to collect it. Fortunately, it wasn't a completely rare occasion and there were hip-waders on standby. Plus, made for a great photo. :)

Have been experiencing a variety of Vancouver cuisine - sushi, Eastern, the odd Starbucks ;), a gourmet dinner at Leah's parents house. Her dad is an amazing chef. And it was so fun to meet the whole family who are full of jokes and laughs. Most entertaining. Plus, Nate's been giving me a few lessons here and there to increase my repertoire (is that spelt right, Miranda!?). And I can make chai tea from scratch! Mmmm.

And have seen and smelt my first skunk too. It's a sickly sweet, lingering smell. I have been well advised to always keep my distance. It's seriously mind-boggling to contemplate the various unique complexities of each of God's creation. What a wonderful maker.

So, to top it all off, the first few days in Vancouver have been all about sensory overload - so many fresh sights, tastes, smells and activities. Am enjoying every minute of it...school starts in about 2 1/2 weeks! And before then, am leaving for a week-long camp on Saturday. Will hopefully be able to update before then! And 'til then...take care.

(Pic One - my corner of the world for the next 5 months including welcome treats from Leah, Pic Two - Nate, Leah and I out for dinner, Pic Three - Nate retrieving the disc. :))

Vancouver

Hi all. This is a super quick post to say that I have arrived safely in Vancouver. Was met at the airport by Leah Lim (nee Martin) and Sarah Gotell followed by a tour of the night lights of Vancouver - I will have to get a pic one night! And then some gelato to top off the night before returning home and being shown my decked out room including treats on the pillow. Seriously, this entire trip I have been blessed in so many ways - from everyone's generosity BEFORE I left, to Auckland with Tim, Cris & Matt, Simon and others I met, to San Fernando with Brooke and Simon, to Santa Barbara with Addie and Doug and finally arriving with Nate and Leah. Every place I have felt so loved and welcomed. Not to mention, everyone's encouraging comments, phonecalls, e-mails and jokes along the way! I feel overwhelmed at God's amazing goodness shining through each and every one of you! Thank you all.

And the pics...first one is last days with Addie and kids at the Santa Barbara pier. Second, is a huge sand castle at Carpinteria Beach (oh, in case you're wondering, no we didn't make it!) The funny part is how the person taking the photo (some random on the beach) took it with only half of Addie and I actually in it! :) And final pic is Leah and I at the airport last night.

Cute and Not So Cute

Here's an ultra cute pic of Gabby making me feel at home by donning a lamb suit. Too cute.

I've included a pic of the mongrel seagulls at the beach (which we've visted most days). They have no fear and continue to steal entire ziplock bags of food that they spy with their beady little eyes. One particular day they just kept hovering around me and wouldn't leave me alone despite numerous attempts to slap them away with my Haviana jandal. Drove me nuts. Doug confesses today that he had thrown peanuts around my towel so that they'd keep bothering me. Too funny. Why didn't I think of that first!? Haha. (Apologies to Miranda for this one but I really needed to emphasise the size of these things..compare with the larger-than-average-sized sand pail.)

And another picture of interest I've included is the toy they give to kids with their Mc D's Happy Meals in California, United States of America. That's right, you guessed it - none other than a HUMMER.

Today in particular I had a sleep-in and then fell asleep at the pool. So I'm not feeling half as tired which is great. Only 2 more days here before I fly to Vancouver on Wednesday. Will be exciting to fly to Canada...but have had such a relaxing and fun time in LA with Brooke, Simon, Doug, Addie and the gorgeous kiddos! Will be sad to say goodbye on Wednesday! Will update once I arrive in Vancouver if not before!

Viva La Fiesta!!!

Hi everyone! It has been Fiesta week in Santa Barbara (Old Spanish Days) so been to a couple of parades. Getting a full-on Mexican experience with burritos, mariachi bands, lots of colourful dresses, dancing and sombreros. These pics are some of the highlights from the parade I thought you might enjoy. There's the man with the biggest sombrero, the oldest lady on a horse (90), a baby (!) riding a horse, Gabby holding a painted egg full of confetti which you smash on people's heads and myself and Maryanne (Addie's friendly neighbour) with front row seats.

The equestrian parade is one of the largest of its kind in the States. It was pretty amazing! It's true, my admirability for horses is growing by the day.

The second miraculous change is that I've been enjoying the overflow of American consumerism by some more garage saling and second hand shopping! I purchased some denim dungarees (Calvin Klein) for $2 and am eagerly awaiting the return of them into the world of fashion. Oh yeah, and I bought a book for 25 cents which is called (and lists) '14,000 Things to be Happy About'. I'll be sure to list a few in my next post!

Ola and Ole

Well, it appears some of you have been having a field day on the comment option. Haha. Great to hear your thoughts (well...most of them anyway!) :)

Addie and I went horseback riding in the mountains the other day. It was a trail ride. Came out overlooking the lush mountains of California. Beautiful. So that was an absolute highlight of the day.And can you believe I actually started to feel a companionship with my horse. For those of you who know how much I like animals (not much!), you will know how amazing this is! His name was Lefty. Haha. Interestingly enough, had to sign an ABSOLUTE waiver (even for negligence) before allowed on the horse. And further more, they didn't offer protective helmets. Interesting observations...I can't help myself! :)

And this week in Santa Barbara is Fiesta Week. So, we went to a local fiesta and saw a lot of Mexican dancing, topping the day off with some yummo Mexican food. Ole!

Every day is so full with activity - cute, early morning wake ups, kids, late nights watching movies or chatting with Addie...It's all so much fun...but I have been getting a little tired lately. Maybe I'm going to have to actually start napping when the kids do...oh well, then there's always Starbucks and caffeine as a back up plan I guess! Wahoo.

Enjoy the pics and hope you're well.

My Dad and I at ChCh Airport

Sushi and Zooing

First things first, weather is a lot cooler these days. Slightly overcast and cool breeze. It's lovely...even if it's not doing much for my developing tan. Oh well...many more months for that!

Saturday night, we went out for dinner (minus the kids) to a real deal sushi bar. Was super yum...!

Sunday was a bit of church and relaxation.

Today, we headed off to the zoo. Forgot the stroller though...we won't be forgetting that again ever! Haha. Highlights were the world's largest rhodent (Marie, thought you might enjoy this pic! Sick!), the flamingos whose legs bend both ways (crazy!) and the gorilla. And not to overlook the feeding of the giraffes who have the nastiest tongues and released a breath of not-so-fresh-air over Addie and Gabby. As you can see in the pic, Benny was a bit traumatised by the whole thing. That was my fault because when the giraffe extended its nasty tongue towards us, I shrieked which probably gave him more of a fright than the actual peaceful encounter with nature's animals itself. And this is not a joke, one of the giraffes had grown a crooked neck. Unfortunately we somehow missed getting a decent photo...but just imagine a giraffe with a broken neck...and that's what it looked like. Random as!

And tonight got in a bit of softball practice. Was super fun. It's an exhilirating feeling when the metal bat hits the ball. Wahoo. Take care.