The birds have been singing first thing in the morning lately, and I'd forgotten how uplifting that can be to one's spirits. Its as if Spring has come early and they have awoken (themselves and me) from a long grey nap with a renewed sense of life and energy. It never ceases to amaze me how connected we are to nature and its rhythms if we pay attention. Look closer.

We have been quite lucky lately with the sun sticking around for most of the day and the temperatures in the double digits. It is funny though- I used to whine every winter in Ontario "I never want to sit through another snowy winter again!" and yet for some reason I found myself kind of missing it this year. I'm sure I'll get over it!

This recent energy spurt of mine has led me to a little exploring- I have realized that Matt and I have gotten into a bit of routine within our community- patterns that had been established out of convenience when we first got here. We found our 'go to' shops for things we need and then never really branched out too much. It's exciting discovering new things around different corners even the simple things like a new grocery store that stocks your favourite cereal or the local cheap theatre that only charges $4.25 on Tuesdays! It seems that we've made it past that 6 month hump and are now open to more. I guess just like I imagine Jayden is at 6 months...we're starting to crawl.

The studio is well on its way to actually being ready...I will have some photos to post soon of the progress - the change is phenomenal. New paint and new floors and the boss is out shopping for all the technical equipment as I write. He is determined to set us apart from any existing competition and wants to have the best possible gear - which often times leads to big talk that I have to reel in. Last Sunday he was over to see the studio and he was talking about having a builder come in to measure the space so they can have a custom work space designed and built for me. Money aside...how long is that going to take? I mean really... I don't think people are going to be admiring my work space- I need a desk and a chair with a place to edit photos, and run the business... I'd do it from a bean bag chair and a lap top if I had to, if it meant the studio could open next week! They mean well and I love working them- they are so open to creative ideas and really let me run with things. I am just 6 months in of chomping at the bit and getting anxious for this to start- it's exciting! I'm so ready to be in this new career this position of running a studio on my own and learning so much every day- creating images that people love and adding all the little details to the environment that will set us apart. I want people's experience at their photo shoot to be relaxing but special and a little bit glam. My boss is coming over next week to shop with me, set the place up and get our name out there. I have a very special bottle of bubbly chilling in the fridge to celebrate with that I can't wait to crack!

Matt has been working like crazy lately...he works all day for the company and then evenings and weekends on his own contracts. I don't know a lot about tiling but I can say this: I was at a job site with him lately- helping him get set up and another flooring guy came by to say hello- he was singing Matt's praises about his work-how perfect it is- how he went over it with a fine tooth comb and was so impressed. He went on and on and eventually hired Matt to come and do some tile at his place! I have every confidence that Matt's company is going to be a giant success and I'm very proud of him...he has such a great work ethic - and I say this even though it cuts into our time together sometimes!!! He hasn't been able to get out surfing as much as he'd like to just yet- but I keep reminding him "all work and no play..." but I say that now because I have this amazingly warm brand new wet suit hanging in my own closet now that I've only been out in once! It was such a wonderful feeling to get in the Pacific Ocean in January and not feel the cold. It was so much fun to swim around and play...I only caught one wave that day- and it was a good one- I rode the entire thing on my stomach but it was such an amazing feeling and I can't wait til I can get to my feet!

We are still dreaming of getting away...and we now have it down to Hawaii or Mexico in April. Flights to Hawaii are soo cheap from here and I have friends to stay with as well. We'll see.

For now Matt is really excited to come home for his visit with Kieran! He'll be back from the 2nd-9th and will be so happy to spend every second possible with K- I wish I could be there to see everyone and document Matt and Kieran together- I bet he's changed so much since we've been here.

I'm looking forward to having Mum and Bill out even though its 5 months away - I'm on the lookout for great stuff to do! Hopefully I'll have a car by then - no bus for us!!! Ghislaine I hope you're enjoying CR very much- wish we could come visit... Doug and Linda- have a fantastic time on your cruise! Kimmy have a safe and exciting trip to Israel...can't wait to hear and see all about it! Jer- congrats on your win at the bike show! I guess talent runs in your family! Robin- I wish I could be there for your first show- it's going to be so great- congratulations!!!

We hope everyone is well and happy and as always we'd love to hear your news when you have time.

Much love,

Matt- Wendhi and Ruca.

xoxo

Welcome to 2010!  It is a giant number isn't it? It feels sort of surreal somehow. Like we would wake up on the 1st to robots running the house and a flying car in the driveway! Of course as it turned out I still had to clean up the mess from the night before...sadly there was no Rosie here for me!

Matt and I were disappointed that we weren't able to sneak home for the holidays as that had been our hope all along. We did have a lovely time here though - it was a fun day exchanging gifts ( I got my very own wetsuit so I'm looking very forward to getting into the water with Matt finally and not sitting on the beach waiting!!!)  and being spoiled by our families.  If we haven't said it yet Thank You for all of the beautiful cards and thoughtful gifts. Everything was perfect and really made us smile.

Truth be told...we had decided last year that it was going to be our last traditional celebration and that we were going to get away somewhere warm for xmas instead of buying into the usual scene. We felt it again this year- and found ourselves laughing at how silly it seems...cutting down a tree and dragging it home only to decorate it with lights and sparkly things. How odd is it to just go out and spend all of this money on people for gifts at this one time of the year...for what? As much as we want to avoid it ...its impossible. Its a conditioning that we have with us from day 1 isn't it? Its made to be so magical when we're kids- and then when its time to make the magic for ourselves- something is lost. There are so many emotions wrapped up in the holiday- it makes us happy and sad all at once. We feel obligation and guilt. If we are alone we are made to feel extra alone...its all a very odd time in our year. 

We vowed this year that it WAS the last one to be spent in a traditional sense! No more trees and no more gifts...no more eating and drinking junk until we're bursting at the seams! It will definitely be a time for family and magic but we think its time to re-write traditions. How do you feel about that? Would anyone else be interested in perhaps all getting together somewhere for a holiday rather than spending money on gifts and trees and food and drink? Maybe we could all chip in and rent a house somewhere warm for a week in December? I am willing to do all the research if anyone would like to be a part of it. We have a year to consider it!? Let's go and make memories rather than buy them. I bet its easier than we think!

Our New Years Eve was nice we went out to a beautiful Scottish Pub downtown for a 3 course dinner and drinks. The band was great and the theme was Prohibition so all the servers were in flapper dresses with feather head bands and the guys were in page boy hats with suspenders and rolled up sleeves. I loved it! The food was amazing the band was great but we hadn't really known how many people would be there.  It wasn't very busy and at 1130 Matt suggested that we come home for 12 rather than sitting in an empty-ish restaurant. We rung in 2010 in our living room with a kiss to the Beach Boys version of Auld Lang Syne and then we danced and drank to some Blue Grass...Ruca didn't know what was going on! In our champagne induced bubbly head state we forgot to let her out before bed and we woke on the 1st to a lovely little mess right under the Christmas tree thus marking the end of the holidays! The tree came down and xmas was gone! Ruca has spoken.

We have made some resolutions for the new year...first of all- we have vowed to make some friends and increase our social life here...secondly we are joining the gym together - it sounds so cliche- but we need it and its close and cheap. Going together will be a great motivator as well and we both have a history of loving going to the gym regularly so we're pretty confident that it will be a good thing. Matt also wants to surf more and play music. I want to find a theatre to join to stretch my acting muscles...and maybe get some singing and dancing in there too. We've talked about taking a dance class (swing or something fun like that) or a spanish class as well just to keep learning and have some fun too.  We also hope to move soon...our suite has been 'fine' as a starter- but I have always disliked living under people and living here has reminded me why. We hear everything- every flush of the toilet- every argument they may have - every time the baby cries and cries...and cries. On top of that we're in a brand new subdivision with ongoing construction every day of the week from 7am. On 3 sides of us we have new homes being built and its so hard to find a moment of quiet here. We are looking forward to taking our time to scout out a neighbourhood we both like and hope to find a house with no other people living in it!

Not much to report in the work department- Matt is still working with Castle Tile and is still getting jobs for his own company as well. He has now got decals of his logo and contact info for Clean Line Tile on his truck and it looks great! So happy for him!  My studio is being painted as we speak and the contractor should be finished on Tuesday and then I need to have someone do the flooring! I hope to have it done by Friday!  My bosses have said that they are still working on getting the hosiptal up and running soon. They have offered me a very nice raise and asked that I manage all the operations at the hospital(but not physically work there) as well as run the studio so that is nice and I just can't wait for all of this talking and planning to turn into action!!! It's been such a long haul! 

Matt is planning to make a trip back to Brantford for a week or so at the beginning of February- he needs to see K and spend some quality time with him.  I don't think I'll be able to join him this time- as I don't think I'll be able to ask for any time off just yet;) My birthday is this coming weekend but we don't have any plans for it...I always hope and pray that something magical and special will happen but that's me always the dreamer!!! Its such an unfortunate time of year for a birthday really...right after xmas and new years- everyone is broke and lacking the energy to have any more fun! I guess I'll just avoid it this year. 

I will end this post with a video that I made- if you're on facebook you may have seen it already.  It is 2009 in review. 

Enjoy it!

Much love, 

Wendhi, Matt and Ruca. xo