Hello Dear Family

I trust that this finds you all well and happy. I am sitting here in the studio at the end of my day and I thought it was about time for some updates! The sun is shining through the window and I can hear people in the offices around me packing it in for the weekend- as I intend to do since my appointment for this afternoon was a no-show.

I am in the studio now every day and its pretty great. I keep myself busy with a lot of administrative and marketing things that need to be done and since we've officially opened our doors I've had 10 shoots- we are already having people call in after having been referred by someone who had a shoot and loved their photos! I'm also busy planning and organizing an opening night 'get together' for local businesses, to introduce ourselves to our neighbours, and planning out (what I hope will be) a monthly or bi monthly "Mom's Night Out" which I think will be a great marketing tool. A cocktail party for mom's who have been in and I'll ask them each to bring a friend. My hope is that local businesses in the "baby industry" might like to get their products into these hands and will donate some items so that each mom can leave with a swag bag. Looks like my event planning education won't go to waste after all!

Matt is as busy as always with a steady stream of jobs flowing in one after the other. His truck however hasn't been as reliable and last week as he was backing out of the driveway a ball joint broke and (a bunch of other nasty boy truck things happened) which led to him having to get a tow and being without his vehicle for 3 days. He immediately put it up for sale and as yet has not had any response- but fingers crossed he can get rid of it! It truly has been one thing after another since he got it.

We had a visit from Derek (Matt's best friend) in February which was nice for Ruca as he spent most of his time with her!!! With both of us at work all day we didn't have much time together- but we did have some good laughs and with both Matt and Derek so accomplished in the kitchen I don't think I cooked dinner all week! It was nice to have a guest come to stay (ehem...hint hint) and you are all welcome anytime. Please not all at the SAME time though- ok?!?!

Ruca will be turning 12 this week and so we've decided to dedicate this Sunday to a day all about her! We are going to spoil her all day to celebrate...it reminds me of when I was a kid and we used to throw little birthday party's for our dog Sushi! Of course I'm sure Matt wouldn't let me get her a birthday hat, wrap up pressies or present her with a doggie cake that has a candle in it....but we'll see just how far I can get! I'm sure I'll have some photos to post!

We had a fantastic night out for St Paddy's- we went to "Lucky Bar" where we saw a couple of great bands- local Rock/Reggae bands The Kiltlifters and Rocky Mountain Rebel Music. Everybody was feeling festive and in high spirits - the bands were amazing- so much energy and lots of people on stage a lot of switching up vocalists and some great talent. It was a dance party to be sure and we joined in until the wee hours it was a much needed evening to let loose and blow off some steam! We agree that we need to work nights like that into our lives more often.

Summer is just around the corner I suppose and I hope that we will have a chance to get together with some of you! Phish (my favourite band) has announced a summer tour with 3 nights in California so I'm hoping Robin will come out and we can make another road trip just like last summer! One of my dearest friends Paula is getting married this summer in Vegas and Matt and I have discussed driving down and maybe checking out the Grand Canyon while we're at it- we'll see what happens - he has never been down to that area but I know he'll love it!

Just to let you know- we have cancelled our home phone line as we both have cells and rarely used it- so if you call and it says its not assigned- don't fret! You can reach us on our cell phones from now on.

Much love from sunny BC

Matt, Wendhi and the birthday girl. xoxo

Happy New Year! Well...Happy Chinese New Year- which I guess I always feel connected to having been born in China! I was born under the sign of the Tiger so this is my year!
Its a grey and chilly Monday here but I'm not complaining! It seems as though my childhood dream to be able to enjoy the Fall and Spring but skip Winter entirely has been realized! I am in shock that on February 15th we have yet to see a single flake of snow and that the cherry blossoms are in full bloom! It has been about 10 degrees every day and drops to about 8 at night...I love it!

Matt and I had a great weekend together for Valentine's...we skipped the Hallmark side of things and got out of town for a night instead. Our friends Darren and Ali had rented a room in Port Renfrew (which is not a dream destination but oddly enough is about a 20 minute drive to excellent surf...hmmm...I smell a surf trip disguised by hearts and champagne...) and we managed to get the room right next to the theirs - cute little place - good off season price and the rooms were complete with kitchenette and lots of space. It was great to catch up with our friends as we hadn't seen them since Hallowe'en! Sunday started off rainy and misty but we headed to the beach anyway- I chose not to 'surf' and hang with Ali on the beach instead. The god's were on our side as the clouds broke and the sun came out in full force- what a unbelievable day- the guys got 3 hours in the water. I took the camera from the studio for the weekend with the hopes of getting some pictures of the trees at Sombrio to blow up and hang in our home- I will share those later! Matt and I cooked an amazing Indian dinner together and watched a movie at home to top off the weekend perfectly.

Speaking of the studio- its basically finished and ready to go!!! All we need now are babies to photograph! I'm sure we'll be very busy as soon as we hit the button on the marketing materials and get the advertising side of things out there. I must admit to being very nervous but excited as well. My boss has been here in Victoria for 3 weeks now and plans to stay for another month he claims to help me get things going. He's been very good to me through all of this- he picks me up and brings me home every day and takes me out for breakfast and lunch most days. He also treats Matt and I to nice dinners once in a while - which is very nice of him. I'm sure he appreciates the company as well...living alone in a hotel room can't be too exciting. I will be keeping a blog of our shoots once we get going - if you care to have a look at it- I had started one a while back when we were doing the "in home" shoots - before the studio- and I had started it off with the Jen/Jer maternity shoot I did- as that was my very first time! You can see that here: http://www.justarrivedstudio.blogspot.com
I will be updating it as often as I can with shoots from the studio sessions!

Matt has finally made the next step with his work which is starting to break away from the company he has been employed with (of course he kept the ties open for work but on less of a regular basis) and has chosen to go under his own company now! It was a decision that he did mull over but I think from my perspective the decision made itself...Matt is so good at his job and it shows- he has been offered so much work and I really feel that he will have a solid client base that will spread his name proudly. He has actually taken on too much work at this point and has been working really long hours to try and hit all his deadlines and make all his clients happy. I suppose that's where I need to step in and make sure he is balancing this all out with some down time.

Speaking of which - we hit up China Town this past Sunday for the New Years celebration which was a really great day! The weather was 17 degrees and sunny downtown and we had an early dim sum before watching the dragon parade! I remember being scared of them as a kid but the kids here seemed to love it! Victoria boast's Canada's oldest China Town - its quite small compared to Toronto or San Francisco but it has charm that's for sure!

We have really been discussing the prospect of finding a new place to live a lot lately as we both feel we can do better. Aside from the ongoing construction outside our home every day for the past 7 months...we feel that we need a place where we don't have to be concerned about our noise level (if Matt wants to play music or if we want to have people over etc.)and that we don't have to listen to everything that goes on upstairs- we have also just had our main light source cut off as the landlord had a 'privacy fence' built on the edge of our tiny cement block of a back patio...yes, we may have more privacy (as will they if they ever want to use their backyard) but it cuts off our access to natural light. We are both getting frustrated- so we're going to take our time and seek out a house to rent if we can find one!

I wonder if everyone is watching the Olympics? We don't have cable- so the only thing I've seen was last nights Russia vs Canada hockey game and the women's bobsleigh - Go Canada! I love the national pride that has been evoked here and I do wish I would have had the opportunity to head over to the mainland for a little more of a taste! I had a wonderful weekend with my girl Monica who flew out the week before the games began- it was so great to see her and to explore Vancouver in the sunshine on our bicycles! The city was alive and buzzing with energy and so many people! It was incredible. I suppose we know that I am the city mouse in this story and Matt is the country mouse! I can take both but definitely come alive when surrounded by big city energy!

We will have a house guest this coming week as Derek booked a flight out to Vic! He'll be arriving on Sunday- so hopefully Matt will be all caught up by then and will be able to make some time to hang with him.

Well I suppose that's all for now. Hope you are all well and happy and looking forward to Spring temperatures and maybe less snow?

As always - much love,

Matt, Wendhi and Ruca xo

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

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