Walking to the elementary school last week I looked up to see the mural that had been painted on the outside of the gym wall. It was of 6 children all side by side, each a different nationality wearing there native dress. The canadian child had a touque, a parka and snow boots.
I thought to myself, is that really the customary dress in canada? I thought it was Gap jeans, a hoodie and an ipod......

Being thoroughly prepared the night before, with lunches made and backpacks packed, Andrew and I casually locked up the suite and headed out to the babysitters, enjoying the warm morning air. We sauntered carelessly up the front walk and down the tree-lined sidewwalk.

After a a hug and a quick goodbye, I picked up the pace and made my way to the bus stop. It was here that I stood with 2 others waiting for the 49.

I saw it coming and got my ticket ready.

As it drew near it didn't slow down. It was packed with morning commuters. I waited for the next one, it too passed us by. I glanced at my watch and knew that I had a choice to make right then. I could wait for one more bus and hope it had room, if it didn't I would certainly be late for class, or I could start walking.

I chose to walk.

About halfway, the bus passed me, it was moslty empty. The street was busy with construction and soon I was passing the bus. Traffic picked up and the bus passed me, a few moments later I passed the bus. We played cat and mouse for the next 5 minutes. The bus arrived at the corner about 10 seconds before I did.

It was then that I discovered that the bus isn't always quicker in Vancouver.

I made it to school in 25mins, although i was really moving b/c I didn't want to be late.

I found my class, there were 5 people who had arrived before me, they all sat in silence staring at me as I entered. Jenny introduced herself first, then Matt, Jas (pronounced Yas), Alex and Christina.

Then we all sat. In silence.

This is my family for the next year I thought...I was missing my family at the MEC at this point.
Then came Nina, she is about 15yrs older than me. She repeated our names over and over in an attempt to memorize them. Nina apparently isn't her real name, but she was reluctant to share her birth name with us.
Weave was the next to wander in. He's a big guy with shoulder length blond hair, denim shorts and a white puffy shirt (you know, like the seinfeld episode). He sat beside me, I was kinda scared of him.
The room slowly filled with classmates and we all sat in silence.

After a 3hr "chat" about the industry with one of the instructors, we were all ready for lunch.
I found I starbucks across the street and set to work using up my gift cards.
After lunch we found ourselves again sitting in silence staring at each other until Jas pointed out that we had just spent 3 hrs together and haven't even gotten to know each other, so the introductions began and the stories about how we all ended up in the program followed.

We were interrupted after my schpeal by the arrival of our laptops. Then the fun began!

What we learned during the proccess of handing out laptops was that Nina's real name was Bernice and (surprise) Weave wasn't Weave's real name either...it was Lesley. I could tell by his face he really didn't want us to know that.

On the way home I decided to take the bus as my backpack was significantly heavier after acquiring the laptop. Again, the bus drove by with people packed in tighter than Britney in a bikini.
So I walked home, tired and sore, but feeling good.....

One of the most impulsive (yet ironically thoroughly thought out) things I have ever done.

The impulsive part was when I called Langara and set up an interview to see if I could get into one of it's programs. It was a whim....I had no idea where it would lead.

It was not without it's obstacles....
I had to quit my job.
I had to find a place in the city.
I had to find renters.
I had to find money.
I had to find a school for Andrew.
I had to find childcare for Andrew.

Quitting my job was easy...the rest was a little more difficult.

I found a place, it was small and in an area farther than I wanted to be, but it was affordable and clean.
I didn't get that place.
Somewhat discouraging, and when i looked at other places in my price range, I was even more discouraged.
Then came the German ladies, and I am now in a wonderful suite in a good location....

Renter/buyers was tricky as well, but thanks to my hard working sister, in the end I found both!

My student loaned hinged on me getting rid of my car, which I couldn't do until the end of August (kind of pushing it, i realize) Thankfully, my loan took 5 days to process and we are in the clear! (yeah!)

Andrew was on the waiting list for public school - we were told we would know what school he would be in by Sept 7th (I start school on the 10th) Not knowing where he was going to go to school was making finding childcare somewhat difficult!
We got the call on Friday that he would be attending the school around the corner (again more cheers!)

But then childcare.
Less than a week to go, and I finally clue in that the reason the afterschool care program isn't calling me back is b/c they are on strike! Yikes!

But today...today it all came together....I met a mom who was willing to take Andrew until I get it all figured out!
Wow...with only 5 days to spare!

So that's it...it all came together......

But now I think I need a vacation!

You can fit alot of things into a blue rubbermaid bin.

10,000 marbles
25 textbooks
14 stuffed animals

or a childhood full of memories.

Liz and I grabbed our blue bins, each neatly labled with our first names, and eagerly pulled open the lids.
There were baby clothes, baby shoes, baby combs, but what drew our attention the most were the journals buried underneath.

The journals spoke of the 39 animals we had on our farm, birthday parties with friends, thanksgiving dinners at Grammie's, playhouses, imaginary friends. Dreams for the future (I was going to tame birds, I was planning on having 10-20 birds).
There were awards and newspaper clippings, report cards and cards made for mommy.

We were engrossed for almost an hour, captivated and brought back to a sweet time, where we played, and imagined and dreamed........ bigger than the rubbermaid bin.