Casual Reflections

it never gets old…

COLDPLAY.WAS.EPIC!!!!

SO.EXCITED.FOR.CALIFORNIA!!  Only 115 days.  Not that bad.

Credit: iStock Image

A night of mystery, driving down the I-5 with friends, delicous dinner, beautiful company and an incredibly loving & generous husband. Hope Cupid was good to you too!

Looking Good, JD…always a charmer with the ladies…

Every year on this day, I reflect back on one of the biggest changes that took place in my life.  It was January 26, 1995, around 11 pm and myself, my older brother, and my parents had just landed at YVR after a very, very long trip from South Africa.  

Saying goodbye to family at Jan Smuts airport wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.  I was 9; I was embarking on an adventure.  I had never flown anywhere before (that I remember), and getting the chance to be in a plane was so cool.  I don’t think I even realized the changes that were taking place, or why my family was so teary.  Me, I was over there playing around on the luggage carts being pushed around by my cousin, Ryan.  Being yelled at to “get over here and say goodbye” didn’t register with me as something important to do.  Nevertheless, after lots of hugs and kisses, we boarded the plane to start a new life on a new continent.

After many hours of flying and layovers and a visit to good friends in Scotland (and seeing SNOW for the first time!!), and a visit to the captains cockpit (and being scared out of mind in case I pushed a button), restlessness, movies, weird plane food, whining, sleeping, and thinking we were so special to receive a bottle of secret champagne that my aunt (a flight attendant) had arranged – we finally landed in Vancouver.  Our new home.

My parents had arranged for us to stay with old friends of theirs – a gentle and humble man named Eddie and his sweet wife Mary Lee.  Eddie and my Dad used to work together at South African Airways, and seeing the comfort my Dad felt when seeing Eddie at the airport was something really special.  We had just endured a multi-day trip to a foreign place with two kids and lots of luggage, and to now arrive knowing we were being taken care of was a big relief to my parents, I’m sure.  I can’t remember if we were dressed lightly, or we prepared for the cold, but it was cold walking out those doors.  We had just come from 35+ degree temperatures, and were now walking to a “strangers” car in about 4 degree temperatures.  It was 11 pm after all!

Gareth and I sat in the back of the van.  We were quiet, with eyes wide open.  I’m sure the exhaustion we were feeling earlier had turned to curiosity, and despite it being dark outside, I already knew it was really different here.  We were driving on the “wrong” side of the road for goodness sake!  Plus, Eddie talked funny.  I couldn’t understand him at first.  I remember driving through the Massey Tunnel on our way to Ladner, thinking it was the weirdest thing I had ever seen.  Sitting in the back, I looked up at the lights zooming by, and wondered why we had to drive through this thing. Glad I didn’t know what was actually above us at the time.

We lived in Ladner with Eddie & Mary Lee for a few weeks getting used to things, bought a Dodge Caravan, and made snow men with Fudgeo eyes.  I began school, entering the 4^th grade half way through the year.  That was hard.  I was behind in math and had to go for special “lessons” that made me feel lame.  I made friends pretty quickly, but I think it was because of my accent mostly.  I even had my first and only detention in 4^th grade for not completing an assignment.  My new-to-the-country parents were freaked out when I didn’t come home on time.  They came running to the school to see where I was, only to find me sitting in the class with one other boy, crying because I didn’t understand what was going on and why I couldn’t go home.  Things got better though.  Just being able to walk to school by myself was something new and exciting.  I had never done that before, and I felt a certain amount of freedom in that.  I remember coming home one day with an assignment to write about a favourite “Arthur”.  What’s an Arthur, my parents asked?  You know, an arrthur!  Wait, you mean, author?  Yea, that’s what I’m saying!  So we soon began to realize that mine and my brother’s accents were changing and became a weird mix of South African and Canadian.  

My brother started attending the Christian school in Richmond (he was 13) and had to take the bus to get to school every day.  The bus!  I was so scared for him.  And yet, this was the new way of life that we got to experience.  There really was no fear in him being on public transit alone and I’m sure it was exciting for him.  In SA, you’d never do that.  Ever.  It was fun waiting for him at the bus stop and watching him jump off and then we’d all walk home together.  He apparently came home one day, slightly embarrassed and confused because during class, he had put up his hand and asked for a rubber (eeeek!).  He meant an eraser, but of course the damage was done and kids around him were laughing.  I mean, how was he supposed to know that a rubber meant something completely different here?  And how some 13-year olds knew what that meant is beyond me.

We eventually moved into a basement suite of our own, with shared laundry with the folks upstairs.  That was different.  We also didn’t have any furniture or plates or cutlery or TV.  We slowly collected these items from new friends and such, but it wasn’t until at least March that our Christmas had arrived.  The container ship that held ALL our worldly possessions and valuables had finally arrived in Vancouver, after we had sent it off in South Africa that previous December.  I tell ya, it was like Christmas morning in that little suite of ours.  There were boxes everywhere and “hey, look at this!” and “hey, I forgot we packed that!”.  Our bedroom and bathroom closets were full, our kitchen cupboards were full, and everything that we held near to our hearts in SA was now bringing us comfort.  It was just material items, but still - I’ll never forget that day.  One funny moment I remember was coming home from school and finding my mom crying because she had just watch an episode of Jerry Springer.  What kind of place have I brought my kids to?!?  We came all this way and that’s how people treat each other??  Ha!  Someone should have told her that Jerry Springer is not real.

That summer came more changes (location, schools, friends, churches, etc) – but man was it ever worth it.  Every year on this day I reflect back and thank God for the way he lead us and comforted us in those first few hours, days, weeks, months.  Where would we be without him guiding us?  My parents put all their trust in him, not knowing what the future held, not knowing if it would all work out.  The tons of money they had spent, the years of preparation, the many applications they had filled out, the medical exams we had done and the family we had left behind – they didn’t know if that would work out.  They took a huuuugeee step of faith and leaned on him for everything.  I can only imagine the numbers of “God things” that took place that helped us along the way.  

That’s why we’re still here and loving it.  That’s why moving to Canada worked for us.  Because God was and is with us, and we continue to trust him with our lives.

Joey really got into the Christmas Spirit this year…

How amazing is it to know someone so well that not only are you able to give them something they really, really want – but they do the exact same for you?  This Christmas was a very special time for us newlyweds.  We spent a lot of time shopping for our family, and as much as it was a big task, it was so worth it to watch them open their over-sized, over-flowing stockings full of gifts.  They were truly thankful, and returned the generosity by offering us amazing gifts as well!  Our families are so thoughtful! The best part by far was the anticipation in waiting for Hubby to open his gifts from me.  I thought about them for a while and while they weren’t on his “wish list” per say, they were items I knew he wanted.  Seeing a slight tear in his eye was all I needed to know it was well worth it; a Northface jacket, and two tickets to a Mariner’s game this summer – in the Diamond Club section.  To no surprise, he was ridiculously generous with me….not only did I receive a custom made Canucks jersey with my name on the back, he also took me to a Canucks game the very next day!!  He was also thoughtful enough to get a personalized Christmas ornament with “Daniel and Shannon – our first Christmas” written on it.  Oh how I love the fact that he knows me so well J  We spent a lot of good, quality time with family from both sides of the border, and I even got to meet one of Hubby’s cousins that I had never met before. 

Writing this is causing me to reflect back on all the blessings God had given us.  More than I could even fathom.  But nonetheless, I am full of gratitude and humility, for having a life with so much joy in it.  We move into a brand new year in just a few days, and I’m already looking forward to the new changes, memories and blessings life will bring.

PS – The Canucks won against Edmonton, 5-3!

Paradise is coming on April 20, 2012.  Coldplay in Vancouver.  Amen. 

I finally did it!  I just finished a Pinterest project; an ornament wreath made out of a coat hanger.  I felt quite proud and even hubby said he was proud of me.  I’m not really the “crafty” type, but tonight i was on a roll.  I even made our wedding cake toppers into tree ornaments so we’ll always have our “first Christmas” ornaments to hang evey year.

We have a lot going on in these next two weeks (just as everyone else does); parties, cookie decorating, gingerbread house decorating, wrapping gifts, gift exchanges and of course…eating food. 

Christmas has arrived at the McAllisters!!

August 2006 was when I bought my first car, Ruby.  And now 5 years later in November of 2011, I have reached a milestone with good ol’ Ruby: 100,000 kilometres driven! 

I’ve been thinking back lately of all the places we’ve gone and travelled to together (there’s been A LOT); all the laughs, and scares and wrong turns, and bad parking jobs and great parking jobs, the grinding of gears, and stalling in busy intersections.  I’ve been thinking of all the people and things I’ve loaded her up with and how precious the cargo has been.  I’ve been thinking of the hits and scrapes and cracks and rocks that have come her way and the thousands upon thousands of dollars I’ve poured into her (literally; gas is so expensive!). 

But the most important drives she ever made started in August 2009.  This was when she would faithfully drive me 1.5 hours each way to see my then-boyfriend (and then fiancé and now hubby) and his family.  I wish I kept track of how many hours and KM’s those drives have added up to, but I have no doubt that a significant portion is what made us reach 100 K!  I hope I get to drive her for a while still, and maybe even teach hubby how to drive her as well!  Here’s to another 100 K, Ruby!

I’ve been working alongside an amazing organization for 6 years now.  It’s called Operation Christmas Child, and every year, I’m astounded by God’s goodness and grace that is poured onto these children.  Every year, I’ve helped encourage Canadians to pack simple shoe boxes with gifts, toys, hygiene items, school items, games, etc…and be a part of the hundreds of thousands of boxes that are sent to underprivileged kids around the world. 

Every year, I’m blown away by Canadians’ generosity – of course, with people packing more than just 1 box, but more so with the media I work with.  I can’t tell you how generous the media can be in getting the message out; the message that packing a box does more than just give hope, joy, and Christmas to a child – but the message that OCC opens doors to help communities with other initiatives, like supplying fresh drinking water, or educating women on how to provide for themselves and their families.  It’s amazing to see a small idea turn into a huge event, and this incredible message spread like wildfire.  I’m so honoured to work alongside the media and OCC, and help partner the two together.  It can easy to get too busy, and lose sight of the goal of blessing children and having a way for the Good News to be shared – but in the end, I’m reminded of the enormous project that OCC is, and how many thousands of people are involved every single year. 

So please, be a part of this year’s campaign and provide a SIMPLE GIFT-FILLED SHOE BOX.  It’s easy, it’s inexpensive and it’s fun.  From now until Nov. 27^th, it’s the official collection week.  You can go to www.samaritanspurse.ca/occ to find out where you’re supposed to drop your box off.  If you miss the deadline, good news!  You can then pack a box, virtually, through this website: www.samaritanspurse.ca/shoebox.  You don’t even have to step foot outside if you don’t want to; just a few clicks of the mouse!

Be a part of this; get involved. Encourage friends, encourage family, encourage co-workers.  It’s too easy and simple not to.

My desire to put up our Christmas decorations is so strong right now – but I just can’t do it until Dec. 1^st.  I’ve already blocked it off on my calendar.  I’ve figured that there are a number of reasons for this: first Christmas being married, first home together, first Christmas purchases (tree, decorations, etc) and most significant is the chance to make our home, homey.  There are so many good ideas out there for DIY projects and I’m looking forward to the time when I can attempt to make some of them.

Plus, hubby and I both LOVE Christmas.  He’s already listening to a mixed Christmas CD that he knows off by heart, and I’m craving the chance to just bake, bake, bake!  The only downside of course to setting up your home for Christmas from scratch – is that you don’t have everything.  We still have to buy a number of things (lights, ornaments, etc) that we hopefully wont have to buy again next year.  Hmm…Black Friday shopping has suddenly become enticing after all!

gets me every time