Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Tuesday, September 08, 2009 - 2 comments

Rediscovering the Joys of Home

I've been back in Vancouver for three weeks now, and this is perhaps my smoothest "re-entry" yet. None of the usual tears in the grocery store, dumbfounded stares at the gas pump or general "Idontbelonghere" feelings, as so often is the case. Probably due to the fact that I've been back on the continent twice this year and "home" doesn't feel so foreign.

This is the first time in years that I've been able to enjoy a bit o' BC summer. I'm always here in the winter, and while I love to brag about how Vancouver isn't freezing like the rest of Canada, the weather still isn't exactly conducive to sitting on a park bench with a book. I am loving the freedom to get out and enjoy my gorgeous city! And more than that, with my recent "identity crisis" (some form of delayed culture shock, perhaps) I am loving the chance to simply be....Canadian.

Here are a few of the little things that have brought me great pleasure since being back:

* the library! you can just plunk yourself down on the floor and read books in english to your heart's content... for free!
* frozen mangoes, frozen strawberries, frozen raspberries....a smoothie lover's dream!
* walks on the dyke....complete with seagulls and that wonderful sea smell
* the fact that a uniform of jean shorts, a hoodie and flip-flops is perfectly acceptable
* spinach that comes prewashed and pre-pulled....I love to eat it, but it's a pain to clean after you get it home from the pazar!
* I can carry my coffee around in a tumbler and no one thinks that's strange
* anonymity - I may be the only Caucasian face in the crowd, but I am still "just like everyone else". No one looks at me and thinks, "foreigner." (Plus, with my last name, I belong more than anyone realizes!)
* the ability to pour on the sweet Thai chili sauce without having to ration it
* my mom is in the next room and my best friend is a local phone call away!
* fish n' chips @ Pajo's on the wharf
* no one has yet to shout out, "Hey, lady!" or ask me where I'm from
* an endless variety of curry available in every grocery store
* I can walk around the park alone without anyone harassing me
* the divinity that is Timothy's Frozen Yogurt
* four minute walk to Starbucks!
* being able to park myself on a log, a bench or a patch of grass and read, undisturbed
* Orange Julius hot dogs.
* the freedom that comes with driving a car
* the glorious hints of autumn appearing all around me
* hot, fresh donuts. oh, yeah.

(Have we noticed that most of my joys revolve around food? I make not attempt to disguise my edible passions!)









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