November Rain

Hello Dear Family, 

I cannot believe that November has nearly disappeared...where does the time go?  Well as much as I tried and begged I couldn't convince Matt to grow a giant moustache for "Movember" but he does however have a raging beard which he says he will shave on New Years Eve!  For those of you who aren't familiar "Movember (the month formerly known as November) is a moustache growing charity event held during November each year that raises funds and awareness for men's health." www.movember.com  So if you have seen an awful lot of men sporting odd facial hair this month...this might be why.

The rain has arrived...and as far as I'm concerned it can return from whence it came immediately.  I mean don't get me wrong I like a cozy rainy day every now and again- and I did have some idea of what I was getting myself into- but this is insane!  I suppose I shouldn't complain all of this weather is what makes BC so beautiful, I guess its an ok trade off.

Our Hallowe'en weekend was spent in Tofino as planned- we stayed at a friend's place for the weekend and had a really great time.  We missed the surf competition but it was pretty exciting for Tofino as a local guy (Pete Devries) won the entire thing so there were lots of congratulatory signs posted everywhere and he also ran the Olympic Torch into town which we did catch and I got a few photos. We also went and caught up with a couple that Matt used to cater for. They run a tourist boat operation in Ucluelet and were so happy to see Matt! During our chat they suggested that we take some time to go to the salmon hatchery nearby and see the black bears.  Wow! What an afternoon that was...it was incredible to see a mother and her baby pulling massive salmon right out of the river and tearing them apart.  As you might imagine we took a few photos...if you haven't seen them yet there are some posted here: www.wendhiwork.carbonmade.com. 

Matt has been getting busier with work lately and has also taken some more steps forward into getting his own business started.  He has had new business cards printed up with his Victoria phone number on it and has been networking with local flooring stores.  He also set up a portfolio online to showcase his fabulous work - you can visit it here: www.cleanlinetile.carbonmade.com.  The calls have just started to come in and he picked up 2 very nice jobs this week- so happy for him! 

I have had some progress in my working situation as well which I am happy to finally be able to announce. I am still sticking it out with this photography company out of Vancouver however it looks as though Victoria General Hospital is not going to be letting us in their doors anytime soon! Things were looking like I was going to be back on the job market after a "heads up" phone call I received from the boss a couple of weeks ago. They were unsure of how we could move forward in any sort of capacity together- they had asked me to set up the in-home photography service- which I was working on but it was going to come down to me being paid per shoot and not full time hours and there was no way I could be a part of that. One thing I have learned about these guys is that they are idea men- they are thinkers and they don't like to give up- with that in mind they called me and asked me to start looking for a studio space here in Victoria that I could work out of. They figure that paying rent on a studio space will be less than the amount they would be paying to the hospital in commissions every month.  Long story short- I found a space- they came over last weekend- wined and dined me - we looked at the space together and I should have the keys in my hand by Tuesday! 

The space is right in the heart of downtown in an old heritage building. It's small but it has high ceilings and I have full control of the reno. They have asked if they can hire Matt to tear up the carpet and lay some laminate so that's an added bonus!  I have been feeling so torn about this because its not like I went to school for photography or have paid my dues so to speak within this industry and having a studio fully funded and geared up to work from seems like its beyond my skill at this point. My new motto is "fake it til you make it".  I have been honest with them from day 1 - that I am self taught and they like what I've done so far for them so I have chosen to look at this as my 'break'...someone taking a chance on me- this will be my education.  Baby and family photography is not my goal as a career but it is certainly the right thing for right now (fingers crossed).

It doesn't look like we'll be going anywhere for the holidays this year- which we are both bummed about- but we'll make the most of I suppose.  Matt will certainly miss Kieran...and turkey dinner ( I have offered to cook one for him but he says it wouldn't be the same to cook it for just one person) We are invited to a boxing day dinner at Matt's bosses house- so I am sure he'll get his fill there.  While we are on this topic- if you wouldn't mind sending your mailing addresses...I've misplaced my address book in the move! Please send us Christmas cards it will be so nice to get mail at that time of year! What are your plans for the holidays? 

Ruca is here grumbling at me to get her dinner- so that's my cue to leave you for now. We miss you all so much and hope to hear your news when you have a moment. 

Lots of love,

Matt, Wendhi and Ruca xoxo

The Changing of the Leaves

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the Canadians here and to you South Africans...I hope you are enjoying October!  I thought it was about time for another update from Victoria and as we weren't able to spend this holiday weekend with you - it has made us miss you all.  It would be lovely to hear any of your news when you have a moment as well!

Thanksgiving for us was quiet, but warm and cozy nonetheless.  We kicked off the long weekend with a walk along the beach (Esquimalt Lagoon) which is a 5 minute drive from our place.  It is a long stretch of beach that is covered in giant tree sized driftwood that has been bleached by the sun into beautiful shades of white and grey.  A person can actually walk(or hop, skip and jump as we like to do) the entire length of the beach without touching the sand. Its a little game we play and Ruca likes to try and get into it to - testing out her balancing act as best she can!  The view is stunning from this beach as just across the ocean is Washington State with its beautiful snow capped mountain range - and when the sun sets behind us this time of year the sky turns bright pink and orange and the moon comes up over the water. Amazing. Something to be thankful for that's for sure.

We put on our domestic caps on Saturday, as we had been invited to dinner, and had offered to bring dessert.  We baked an apple pie, which Matt decorated with a crust of a grinning pumpkin face, and pumpkin tarts in phyllo pastry. Since this would be our first time to their new place (since moving day) I thought that I should bring a little something for them- so we made a cranberry relish and some apple sauce- the house smelled edible! Unfortunately for me...I had forgotten about this weekend of marathon eating and found myself 1 week into a 3 week nutritional detox cleanse!!! I would have to miss out on all the treats...oh what the hell- I had a tiny slice of pie AND a pumpkin tart AND a glass of wine...but that's ok..right?   Dinner with Aaron (Matt's workmate) and his wife Jen was fantastic...and they announced that they are pregnant! 

Sunday was a typical fall day with a bright blue sunny sky dotted with moody clouds and a chill to the air.  After a nice sleep in we hunted down a pumpkin patch and went to find the perfect ones...it was a nice country type market and we bought some squash and gourds of course! Decorated the house and bundled up for a movie night.  Matt drove out to Sombrio on Monday hoping to catch some 7 footers...but the ocean was flat and so no surfing for him...but he did catch sight of some whales! He figures they were orcas because they are apparently not migratory...

Back to work today for Matt...but not for me....if you can believe it my job has still not started yet. If it weren't for the fact that they brought me over to Vancouver a couple of weeks ago for some 'training' I certainly would not believe that this company even existed.  They have an office and staff and they seem to be very very busy- they took good care of me - put me in a really nice hotel with a view and wined and dined me.  They also have been taking care of me financially- handed over a decent signing bonus and have me on bi-monthly retainer.  It is the strangest experience I have had in my work life thus far.  Being paid to wait.  They claim to really like me and they don't want me to go elsewhere. As far as the hold up- its all on the hospitals end- I don't have all of the details- suffice to say 'red tape'. I still don't have a start date- but they have just asked me to "spear head" another side of the company on a national level- which is the in-home service.  This would involve the photographer going into the home and taking a more relaxed photo session of the family with new baby or toddler.  We are having an initial meeting via skype on Thursday so we'll see how that goes. Perhaps I can swing a business trip to Toronto?!  This life of not working is driving me batty though!!! Its hard to find things to do all day every day within such geographical restraints (ie. no car)

I have been exploring downtown- I found schools for acupuncture, massage and hair (which means very cheap services as long as you have the time for the students to do their thing...which at the moment, I do!) 

We still haven't made any solid plans for Christmas- of course we are still dreaming of trying to get away somewhere warm in January - we talk a lot of travel these days...we even made a list of all the places in the world that we could go where we had people we knew! I guess in the 2 years we've been together -we haven't yet been on a plane together or on a warm holiday...so we are really hoping to have that sometime in the next few months.

For now we'll just enjoy watching the leaves change- we're planning to camp on Friday night this week at the beach and hopefully get in for some Thai massage (at the school...so cheap!) on Sunday. The next weekend will mark 2 years for us- we had hoped to get away but...and Halloween will be spent in Tofino with friends...the cleanse will be over by then so I should be able to indulge in all the candy "Rockets" I want!!! We don't have a clue what to do for costumes (suggestions are welcome!!!) It should be a busy weekend as there is also a really big O'Neill surf comp going on that weekend as well the Olympic Torch is scheduled to be going through as far as I know.  I'll have to get my camera batteries all charged up!

Much love, 

Matt, Wendhi and Ruca

xoxo

No Rain Yet... (August 29, 2009)

Its 10am on Saturday, Matt has gone to work and Ruca is sleeping in her basket so I thought I'd take some time to write to you with our latest.  

I can't believe we haven't hit the 2 month mark yet...it feels as though we've been here so much longer than this!  Matt is loving his job- the company is very good to him and they are very busy so he has a lot of projects on the go. He has been working on an indoor lap pool for a successful retired couple.  Apparently they were both professors and both published authors.  According to Matt he is about 5 foot nothing and rounder than a pumpkin (I can't help but picture Danny Devito whenever he mentions him!) the pool is supposed to be for him to get some exercise but not too strenuous as his weight is teetering on dangerous! From the pictures I've seen it looks beautiful, its inside a glass domed room and has 2 lanes and a hot tub connected to the side.  Although Matt is happy with this company he still has plans to start his own company...when the timing is right. 

As for me in the work department...I guess I have fallen away from pursuing any of the event work further- as my very assertive efforts were not rewarded.  In all honesty, I'm ok with that as it has become very clear to me that my path is headed in another direction.  I made a conscious decision that with this move- I would attempt to take my photography out of hobby status and into something more.  I just started telling people that I'm a photographer and jumped in!  It seems to be working- as I am currently mid way through my 3rd paying job.  I was hired to shoot a birthday party for a lady who turned 100 years old!  I worked as an assistant to a photographer I admire (who I cold called) on a magazine shoot for "Dogs of Canada" magazine. 

Most recently I was hired to take some PR photos of "The Six Mile Pub" which is at the bottom of our hill and is the oldest pub in BC. I actually had been stalking the owner for a month to hire me as a server part time when we first got here- he liked me but had no room for me but I kept bugging him! He had a food runner position open up at one point and being so broke- I jumped on it...keep in mind- this is a province where the minimum wage is $8/hour (the lowest in the country) and food runner = slave to servers..for no tips and is also a job I did when I was 14! But you know...desperate times. I went in for 1 shift- ran my ass off and walked out realizing I had just made $32. So I nicely told the owner I couldn't do it- but to please keep me in mind for something else should he have an opening.  He then told me he liked my photography and asked if he could hire me to shoot the pub! 

In any case- those are just one off jobs but I have just received my business cards for "Wendhi Gale Photography" and plan to continue to build that as my business.  In the meantime- I have been hired by a company out of Vancouver called "Just Arrived".  They are a baby photography company with contracts in hospitals across the country.  It's owned and operated by brothers- 37 year old identical twins...(to get an idea of what they look like please refer to my description of Matt's retired client above...minus 30 years)  They are super guys and have been very good to me thus far.  They have just actually signed a brand new contract with Victoria General Hospital and have hired me as area manager to head it up for them.  Its a really good source of revenue for a hospital as the commission rate is a whopping 30%...but Just Arrived only signs with hospitals who have a birth rate of 3000 a year- the company is growing rapidly and in fact just signed on 4 hospitals in Toronto including Mt Sinai.

So Matt and I were taken to dinner by the company and I have been on a few business lunches- been given cards and a blackberry and have 3 part time girls working for me here in Victoria. No nights and no weekends...so its great. It all fits in with our plan to work our butts off during the week and play hard on weekends.

We haven't managed to do too much yet here - but as we get on our financial feet that will change. We have had some good excursions though- mostly to fulfill Matt's surfing needs- but it works for me too...to camp beside the ocean- sleep with waves crashing outside the tent...anytime!  Still thank you Mum so much for finalllllly giving in and letting me have the Coleman stove and gear!!! Also slowly teaching Matt how to play cribbage...I let him know that he won't survive the cottage without that skill!  

We have been downtown a few more times and each time find something new to enjoy- haven't been able to go out for a drink or meals yet- but when we are ready...we'll know where! I miss money!!!  

Aside from that Ruca is happy and healthy- she hasn't been having any late night carpet mishaps anymore- we walk her late and put her out right before bed and also put her water dish up at night. So we're learning- but she loves to get out with us to the beach and still stands at the shore and barks at every single person clad in a black wet suit coming out of the water- as she waits for Matt to return. Its cute- but annoying too! 

Matt's little guy Kieran turns 4! next week...so we had fun filling up a box for him which we sent off a few days ago. Hoping we'll see him soon too!! (hint hint;)

We'd love to hear your news too so if you have a chance- oh and if you could please send mailing addresses?!??! I can't seem to find my address book yet! I'll have to start a new one.

Kimmy- hope that your move goes well- send me your addie!

John and Karen- Happy Anniversary!!! xoxox

Jen and Jer- Hows life with Jayden?? Email and let us know what he's up to these days!

Much love, 

Matt, Wendhi and Ruca

xoxo

The Journey and Beyond (July 14th, 2009)

Hello all, 

I have just finished organizing our photos from the journey to the west and I thought you might like to see what we've been up to!  

Here is the link: 

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=284598&id=671100513&l=59797dd5b0

All is well here so far, we've now been in our home for a week and Matt left this am at the crack of dawn to make his way to his first job site which ironically enough is in Ucluelet!  He should be back on Friday evening and in the meantime...its my turn to find work!  I actually came across a job posting for a very cool sounding events company here in Victoria.  As soon as I finish this email I will get on applying to that...it sounds just right for me and they work on events in the art and entertainment industries which suits me perfectly as well! Its a contract position until mid October- which I love as maybe by then I will have enough money put aside to get my photography website developed and business cards made! 

Our suite is very nice- and as soon as it is completely finished I'll forward some pictures of it...it's brand new, we're the first occupants so that is a bonus- the layout is quite nice with the guest room/office near the entrance an open concept kitchen into living room with patio doors that open up to a covered concrete patio area which is large enough for the bbq and when we eventually have a table and chairs there will be room for that as well!  Our bedroom is off the living room and we have a stacked washer and dryer in what you would expect to be the linen closet- which is so wonderful! I love having that at my fingertips! 

The whole suite is painted the same neutral beigy colour and oddly enough all of our furniture matched each others and also matches the suite- its perfect.

The owners are a young couple in their late 20's - he is a detective with the local police force and she is studying UVic.  They just had a baby- in fact the night we arrived she had been induced and their son, Dante, was born the next evening. Its kind of interesting that he was born so close to the time of Jayden- so we can use Dante's growth stages to imagine where Jen and Jer are at with him. So far we haven't heard more than a peep from him- and they are very helpful and kind to us.

We've been exploring a little bit as you'll see in the photos and I'm sure we'll be doing much more of that as we both settle into work schedules. 

Ruca is doing great! She seems to have lost 5 years off her life here and has so much energy when we take her out for walks she just can't wait to run and play and has been leaping off of rocks and things you might not expect from her! 

So that's the news from Victoria- it would be great to hear from you if you have a moment to send us updates as well. 

Enjoy the photos and take good care of each other.

Lots of Love, 

Matt, Wendhi and Ruca.

Here is my first attempt at creating a video! I am teaching myself how to use this application so its still rough - and I'm learning that its all about the video and not so much the photos. 

We hope you enjoy watching our first months together back in 2007!

Only 62 days left until we get in the truck and make the trek across Canada (or the US - we've yet to agree fully on this) to start our new life in Victoria BC.  Our 'to do' lists are shrinking little by little and we're proud of our accomplishments thus far, but we are forced to play the waiting game a little as well. It's not too soon to take the book shelves apart- but it is too soon to tell where F.Scott Fitzgerald, Haruki Murakami and Leroy Grannis will call home.  

I've had a lot of mixed reactions to my announcement of heading West...mostly "you're going to looove it" but oddly enough a lot of "really? BC? Why?"

  

For Matt its a return to real life, his life, the one he knows and loves. Today as we sat stuck in Saturday afternoon Queen Street traffic, amidst the honking and the dodging and weaving,  he said "I can't even imagine how many precious hours of my life I have wasted sitting in traffic this past year and a half and how many beautiful waves I've missed."  

For myself it is my life taking the shape it has been longing for since I was...well...much younger. To live amongst mountains and ocean; you know how sometimes you find yourself waking up from what could have only been a very long dream and saying "what have I been doing with myself?"  I have to admit I never thought I would have been in Toronto for 4 years...and as much as I love the city for her many attributes- I am tired of her game- I am tired of the noise- the pollution- all the people in their black clothes - scarves with T-shirts- the fear I have grown to have of witnessing crime- or worse...I know that Victoria is also a city- and she will have her own city vibe- but at least we can be "weekend warriors" where our playground is the raw and stunning beauty of Vancouver Island. 

I guess Shakespeare says it best: "To thine own self be true".

Really excited for the next couple of months though as we wind down here our social calendars are filling up and I hope they continue to do so...I am especially looking forward to Kimmy and E returning from Dubai...I think this may be the longest time apart I've had from my sis...18 months?!? That's just wrong!  Also looking forward to a Phish tour with Robin in June!!! Wow...who would have imagined? 

Ok- so I'm babbling- and I know that Matt will be more direct (if and when he posts here:) but for now- he would like me to say "Welcome to Matt and Wendhi's new blog!"