happy

I can't help but feel completely happy lately. It's lovely, really. In my  home, relationships, job(s) and self : I am happy. 

Days as of late consist of biking (!!), walking to my jobs, to my school, spending time with my beloved(s), drinking tea with lemon and honey. Cooking dinner with ingredients I have never used before, working at the coffee shop and having so much fun, leaving the doors open, closing when it's still light out. Learning to like brewed coffee, black.  

The list could go on. I guess I'm thankful that I'm happy. When you are not happy, you can remember a time when you were happy. When you are happy, you can tell that you weren't happy at some point. It's nice to see a contrast. It's nice to record the simplicities of your daily life and how you feel. 

I'm looking forward to the weekend. One of my dearest friends turns 29 and we will celebrate. I will see my family and I will catch up with my love. 

Happy day friends, I hope your bike rides make you smile. 

V. xo

tea

tea is good for many things. it is good when you are sick. it is good when you are sleepy. it is good in the morning and at night. it is also good at any time to make you feel so nice. my first cup of tea that i can remember was in grade 4. it was peppermint. i had never heard of peppermint tea before. the smell, before my first sip, made me feel so happy. when i tasted it i knew it was my favourite. it still is. tonight i can't sleep and i am drinking tea. it is licorice because my dad likes licorice tea. it makes me think of him and feel like i know him and that we are sharing something nice. to tea. v. xo

bonjour/au revoir

these keys feel funny. like winter clothes after the summer. material touching your legs. it's all very strange. so here I am, in my winter clothes, pressing the keys. yes, here i am.

saying googbye is mostly always hard. some people love saying goodbye to university, i, for one, am not one of those. i feel like just when i started getting it, really playing the part, becoming more confident in my thoughts and in my written words, it's over. my last day of classes was odd and hard. apparently it showed, one of my favourite professors asked si j'ai passe une nuit blanche? mais non, i responded, je me suis endormi a dix heures. he said sorry. i wanted to tell him quickly that i was sad to leave him, but i couldn't think of the words and was too busy blushing about how he thought i looked like a nuit blanche. i have blushed at every word he has said to me all year, all of the years, why would i have stopped then. now that the last day is over, holidays don't seem so foreign. no, we are re-aquainting ourselves well. christmas time is nearing. the best time is nearing. i love christmas. so far i have baked cinnamon shortbread and chocolate gingerbread cookies. yum. more to come. as for tonight, the sheets are calling. tomorrow i'll be up before the sun, pulling shots for the masses and for me.

bonne nuit. it was nice to feel these keys again. i'll be back again soon.

v. xo

A Mennonite Remembrance Day

What I wrote but kept to myself last year on the day after Remembrance Day:

"Yesterday was November 11th, the date countries of the Commonwealth celebrate, or mourn rather, all those who our countries have lost to war. At the eleventh hour, on the eleventh day and in the eleventh month, this year I spent cutting squares of delightfully sweetened treats, arranging butter cubes on plates, and mixing a large vat of virgin cocktail with star shaped ice in punch bowls. I have to admit that thoughts of soldiers, poppies or the tragedy of war steered clear of my train of pre-occupied thoughts. It was our "Peters Clan" Christmas celebration yesterday, and celebrate we sure did. Over-eating, carol singing and a lot of smiling, are all tell-tale signs of a Mennonite gathering, and yesterday our funciton included it all. To be fair, there were two poppies present yesterday, both sported by men with no traces of Russian, German, or Dutch blood. These men were lucky enough to marry a Mennonite lady, and apparently were uninformed regarding out stance on war and Remembrance Day, though I myself have never connected my pacifist heritage with the solemness of Remembrance Day. They have always co-existed peacefully, in true Mennonite fashion. Now that I'm aware that they clash, a re-assessment is in order."

Funny, my internal debate about Remembrance Day is still in full effect. I chose not to wear a poppy this year because I was still unsure. I also opted out of the Peters Clan Christmas which fell again on November 11, annually on November 11. What a funny life.

V. xo

Secrets. (after a long blog hiatus)

I mostly only tell my secrets to Landen. There are so many, sometimes one or two a week. I'm not sure how he keeps them all, but I know he does. He keeps lots of peoples secrets. Sometimes I rush home to tell him news I probably shouldn't know only to find he knows, and has known, for quite some time. He doesn't tell me. He doesn't tell anyone. This is how I know he keeps the secrets I sometimes shamefully, sometimes quietly and sometimes eagerly let him in on.

Lately I feel so conflicted about my job. It's not a real one, but it is kind of a secret. My job, though it is simple and seemingly un-important, makes me decide on a regular basis what kind of person I want to be. It is exhausting. I am fully aware that I may be the only server in the world with this type of introspective tendancy with regard to their chosen (temporary) profession. Alas, here I am.

Tonight I am weary and headachy and with two soft white cookies tucked into my belly, I will retire to my bed and say goodbye to a medium day.

Goodbye medium day,

V. xo

young v/me.

Mall shopping was not a common occurence in my family, though it was not because of a lack of interest in the act, but rather because of a lack of time to get there and to be there. A family of four girls can only accomodate so many outings when only one mother is transporting the lot. I remember specifically one time my sister Melissy and I shopping at KP, the mall in closest proximity to our North Kildonan homestead. I had a shirt in my hand that I wanted to buy but the options were either ask the salesperson for a dressing room or put it back. I chose to put it back. Talking to strangers was not my strong suit. Thankfully I had an older and wiser sister by my side to grab the shirt from my hands, say offputting comments about what a baby I was and ask the salesperson for me. The times when Melissy wasn't there are the reason I wore the same clothes over and over again for many years. Talking to salespeople and making purchases go hand in hand.

Something that occured regularly in my highschool days was taking the city bus home from school. The street my home was on and the street my school were on were off the same road, so it was an easy route to travel. Dad drove me to school in the morning faithfully but I was on my own for the trek back at the end of the day. My parents live at the edge of the city and therefore the last stop before the bus crosses the highway, goes through the loop and gets back on the road. Confession - if I was the only one on the bus, I was often too shy to ring the bell for the stop. I would stay on the bus as it crossed the highway and went in the loop and would get off there. This left me to run across the highway to get back onto my street. Yikes.

I think that I have come a long way. My shyness still comes out on a semi-regular basis, but I would say that if you know me now, you wouldn't see a resemblance in the girl from those stories and the person I am today. Funny how people grow [up].

V. xo

the best anniversary

I said wedding vows two years ago to the best man.
Today has been one of the best days we have shared together.
Run, ocean swim, Honolulu Coffee Co. coffee, a wavy beach for playing, Maui Tacos, etc.

To the end of love, my dear.

V. xo

'tis the season

for biking and smiling and smiling and love.
and a bathing suit.
for me.
on thursday.
in hawaii.

birthday love

Happy birthday to my beloved. You are the most dashing man, by far the most hilarious person, the dearest of friends and the love of my life.

For 24 million years -

Yours,

V. xo

wind and palms

Winnipeg is one windy city today {and yesterday and the day before}.

When I was little the church I attended celebrated Palm Sunday, naturally. The weeks leading up to this lovely day were spent learning and rehearsing special Palm Sunday melodies that flitted and floated from the childrens room to the santuary on the day we commemorate Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem town riding on a donkey. Our hands gripped palm branches as we paraded the greens across the church and down the aisles. We serenaded our mothers, fathers, omas and friends. I remember wearing pale floral dresses, the spring sun blinding my eyes and smiles abounding from every direction. I cherish the memory of this ritual.

In two weeks less a day I will be among swaying palm branches in their natural habitat. I will be wearing pale floral dresses and be humming hosanna, hosanna, hosanna in the highest and be brought right back to my younger years.


V. xo

that's it, that's all

I did it. It has yet to sink it, but it is done. Another semester bites the dust. I could not be more thankful.

This afternoon my most hilarious and dear professor took our class out for drinks. It was so kind of him and made me love my school even more than I already do. The best part about it was that there were two other classes at the pub doing the same thing. I'm going to say it: University of Winnipeg is the best. Royden Loewen, you are the best.

The next couple of days will include many trips to the gym (to counteract all the end of semester ice cream eating and also.. triathlon season is nearing!), Superstore, movies, going to my parents house, studying for exams (boo), maybe bike rides (!?) and lastly and most importantly, date night. Do I still have a husband!?

I have been feeling so crazy all day today. Giggling at inopportune times. Saying weird things out loud that I normally would not. This last weekend of school life put me over the edge.

Yikes bikes. Shut it down.

V. xo

calm before the storm

Well this is it. The amount of work I need to get done in the next couple of days is terrifying. Yet, at this time next week I can say with certainty that I will be drinking a cocktail, guilt-free. The guilt will show its ugly face the next day mind you, when I remember that exams are right around the corner, but it will be guilt-free in the moment and that is all that matters.

Tonight I got off work early and had no books at home to do homework. Disappointing, but I'll take it. I decided to enjoy a few hours in my jammies, sipping tea and watching my favourite movie. The calm before the storm.

Good luck to us all!

V. xo

Wanderlust

Here I am, lonely lady on the couch, seconds from tears. It is interesting how strong are human desires. Where I am dying to be is Montreal, says everyone including me. Summer twenty-ten was one for the books; wandering, eating, loving, loving, loving. Frenchland suits me. Off the metro onto a busy platform, up up up the stairs (there are so many stairs), darkness everywhere but alas, a beam of light blinds the eye upon the weakest nudge to the heaviest of doors. Bikes for rent. Leftward bound is vintage and petite patios galore. To the far right, the prettiest park scattered with blankets and picnic baskets and kisses and one fountain, la fontaine. This is Mont Royal, tugging at my heartstrings.

But where are the snows of yesteryear? - Francois Villon

birthday boy

Yesterday was my bridesman's birthday. He's one of a kind and one of my oldest and dearest friends. Drinks are in order this evening. Happy birthday Christoph! xo

{p.s. I had to hold the flowers away so it didn't look like he was the groom!}

good morning!

Landen and I had the most wonderful night last night! We made dinner {enchiladas, yum}, watched Glee, went to McNally Robinson and lost ourselves in Maui books and I also bought this book for the trip. It will be a true test of will-power if to keep it closed until we leave. We came home and watched so many episodes of Modern Family that we had missed. Gloria gets me every time!

This morning I awoke feeling rested, a real treat. Today will be a busy day so I got up early {after one snooze instead of three} and am trying to enjoy my coffee and take my time getting ready. Nine-thirty classes are a dream.

Il me semble que l'on ait un bon jour.

V. xo

sleepless

I can tell I am nearing end of semester by my sleep patterns more effectively than looking at my agenda. It is two weeks from the end of school, 12:20am and I am wide awake. Quelle surprise.

My sister hurt her back last weekend and got news recently that she has herniated a disc. This is not ideal considering she birthed her second child in January and her first is a few months over two years. Today Landen and I brought dinner to her and her family and my two year old niece was being hilariously two. The funniest thing she said was, "Mommy has big milks and Daddy has little milks". I'm glad my milks didn't get the analysis.

Is it bedtime yet?

xo.

l'homme du jour

It's my brother-in-law/dear friend's birthday today. Somehow this guy manages to avoid having his photo taken; it took me forever to find this one. Happy birthday Nils, you're one heck of a fella.

Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer

I feel so broken-hearted about what is happening in Japan.

I don't know this whole prayer, but for some reason parts of it have been playing in my head when thinking about this tragedy.

We cry to You on behalf of the world ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are most vulnerable ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For the safety, protection and welfare of all your people from conception to natural death ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those whose humanity is destroyed by hunger ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those whose humanity is destroyed by the abuse of power ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those whose humanity is destroyed by the sins of others ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are lost and lonely ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are sick and dying ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are depressed and despairing ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who have lost their faith ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who do not know you ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are prisoners of addiction ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For all who seek You sincerely ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who seek You in the wrong places ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are lost in their own sin ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who struggle to do good ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who have power and influence ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For decision makers whose decisions affect the most vulnerable in society ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are powerless and oppressed ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For Your people in Your service throughout the world ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who are especially dear to our hearts ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who have no one else to pray for them ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For those who have died and waiting to join You in heaven ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
For the Intentions of all in the Circle of Prayer ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
That we may love and care for all Your people ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
That we may love and care for all Your creatures ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer
That we may love and care for the earth, sea and air ... Lord in Your Mercy Hear Our Prayer

peace

This morning I wrote a paper (midterm paper, not paper paper) on why Gandhi's contributions to the history of peace and nonviolence were greater than those of Martin Luther King Jr. I really don't know much about either of these people but for some reason chose to write about them. I know that pacifism is controversial, but I'm with Martin Sexton, "let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me".

teapot, tea time, tea party

It was grade four. My best friend Jessica asked if I would come to her mom's work for take-your-kid-to-work-day, so I did. I slept at her house the night before, we woke up early and her mom had two tea-filled travel mugs ready for us. Peppermint. I can remember the scent perfectly, vividly. I hadn't caught whiffs of like-scented peppermint tea until my 23rd birthday when Landen bought me organic peppermint tea, the memories that accompanied it were delightful. The scent of that tea, an aroma that captured me long before I took my first sip, was what kindled my love for tea.

Lately I have been obsessed with Jessie's Tea. I'm not sure who Jessie is/was, but her tea makes me weak at the knees. Truth be told, I wake up longing for it, I sit in class, run at the gym and walk home from school anxious to return home to brew a pot of this tea. The power it has over me is astounding, really. I haven't been so smitten by anything for as long as I can remember [excluding my charming husband]. Seemingly a harmless addiction, I'm letting myself indulge.

Landen has been student teaching in a grade five classroom for the past week. He told me a story last night that I have been giggling to myself about ever since. Transcription [with changed names, who knows about anything these days]:

L: Mark, do you have Bieber fever?
Mark: No!
L: Chris, do you have Bieber fever?
Chris: No.
L: Ronny, do you have Bieber fever?
Ronny: Nahhh...
L: Brittany, do you have Bieber fever?
Brittany: Yes.
L: Austin, do you have Bieber fever?
Austin: No, but I want to get it for my aunt.

Funny! So so funny. I keep thinking about how great it will be to have a husband that is a teacher because for the rest of my life I will be laughing at the antics of school-aged children.

Jessie is waiting.

V. xo