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