Living out of a Suitcase

It really seems that I am incapable of staying in one place for an extended period of time. I just got back the other day from a couple weeks of wandering around western Canada and a couple US states. At each end of the trip was a wedding - one for a cousin, the other for a close family friend. In the middle, I found myself in the company of couples - sometimes couples with babies. I am very good at being a third wheel or even a fifth wheel. Thankfully I did some hiking in the middle as well. I went to Deception Pass, Chuckunut, and Church Mountain beside Mt. Baker - all breathtakingly beautiful.

After being stranded on the other side of the world for so long, it sure is nice to see old friends again and marvel at all the changes in their lives. In the presence of Americans, I was once again razzed about my citizenship as they tried to persuade me to move south of the border. I did like Seattle, but I don't know if I can admit that to them.

Even though I mainly renewed North American friendships, my Taiwan world met me as well. I got to spend a few days with Nickie, my accountability partner from my English teaching days. I also saw my friend Kim whose baby has turned into a boy. And very randomly, one of my former students is doing a homestay in Surrey for three months to improve his English ability. He used to be called "Eddy", but changed his name to "Iverson" after his favorite basketball player. Mom gave him our family's toll free number and I've already talked to him a few times this week.

I also had the pleasure of driving all night long through the mountains. After going to my friend Johanna's wedding in Kelowna on Sunday evening, my dad and I took shifts driving to Red Deer to get my mom to Norwegian camp on Monday morning. It feels funny saying you're taking your mom to camp. Mom and Grandma slept while I chugged Dr. Pepper to try to stay awake. No accidents despite my periodic micro sleeps. I'm quite thankful for guardian angels.

I'll be home a few more days and then I'm off again . . .