It’s not every day that you arrive at a party and are promptly crowned with roses. It’s not every week that you get to see a dozen of your nearest and dearest collected in a single room, smiling back at you. But that’s what happened Sunday.

This was the scene of my ‘blessingway’ — a rite of passage into motherhood, organized by my dear friends Avital and Marisa.

They read from Psalm 139: “You know when I sit down and when I rise up… You knit me together in my mother’s womb.” They each brought beautiful glass beads to make me a necklace and shared blessings for me, many written on lovely paper, cards and postcards I can treasure forever. We shared a meal. And, at the end, they laid hands on my shoulders and prayed for me, Michael and our baby — praying for a peaceful labour, a wonderful transition into motherhood, and that through becoming parents Michael and I would fall in love with each other all over again.

I am truly blessed.

Vancouver, how I love thee. Let me count the ways…

1. Strolling through the ravine behind my house and running into Steve and his friend at Choices Market.
2. Visiting with a friend on a lovely outdoor patio and having a perfect stranger politely interrupt the conversation to mention he loved my idea for a story I’m developing about my fear of strollers. “They’re like hummers!” he exclaimed in front of his construction worker buddy. Yes, yes they are.
3. Running into an old colleague of my mom’s (now with the VAG) strolling along Broadway, just as I got off the #99 bus. Book recommendations exchanged. (Stanley Park is now next on my list.)
4. Exploring Granville Island in fantastic company (Aurora!) and running into three friends over the course of an afternoon. Paper-ya indulgences were not avoided. Also, made a new friend at Edible BC and discovered Backyard Beans. 
5. Friday night BBQs. Especially steak. 
6. Getting a free frappuccino/Vivanno/latte every time I’ve visited my neighbourhood Starbucks in the last two weeks.
7. Having rad friends BRING US a Greek dinner!
8. Running into Vicky, giving her feedback on her new website and discovering I have a friend who is an upholstery expert (among many other things)! 
9. Visiting with amazing friends, namely: Jenn, Avital, Miranda, Anneli, Marisa, and Laura…
10. Enjoying complimentary tickets to The Stanley — Les Miserables, tomorrow night.  

Today I am saying goodbye to Facebook. There will be no extended rant to accompany this post, I’ve simply found that Facebook adds no value to my relationships. I hope to concentrate my online attention here, on this blog, (I do so love it when you comment!) and face-to-face with those I have the joy of calling friends.

If you are new here, because you followed the link from my goodbye update on Facebook, welcome! I hope you will come by and visit again and again. 

xo Christina

Rad people. Like Paul (below) and Annie.

Photo taken Sunday at a pub in the Distillery District, another Toronto favourite

We will miss them like crazy.

:: Toronto’s proximity to New York ::

Oh yes! This morning Megan and I will jump into her hot red jeep and speed off into the sunset (rush hour, actually) for four days of Big Apple lovin’! Since our Calgary road-tripping days we have dreamed of visiting NYC together. This is trip number seven for me.

Thanks to Amanda’s recommendation we’ll be staying at The Pod, on Friday I’ll be attending the International Arts Movement Encounter and we’ll be hopping the boat to visit the pretty lady above. So excited!

Promise to post updates along the way…

One of the best things about being a mama so far has been the thoughtful gifts I’ve recieved from family and friends. At Christmas my mom gave me a little stamp that showed the size of our baby’s foot at ten weeks. Annie and Paul gave us a gorgeous Pierre Belvedere journal to put down our thoughts. And Avital sent me Mama Goddess tea in this lovely wrapped package! Even though I’m so far away I feel in a small way that I’m nesting.

With fresh news of our temporary move to Toronto (January to March) in hand, I am rejoicing over this announcement! Annie and Megan, I see beautiful afternoons unfolding… 

ANTHROPOLOGIE TO EXPAND INTO CANADA

ANTHROPOLOGIE, a clothing and furniture retailer owned by Urban Outfitters, is planning on expanding into the Canadian market. Anthropologie already operates over 100 stores in the United States and ships to 34 countries. The chain will open its first store in Toronto’s upscale Yorkville area next year. The two-storey store will occupy approximately 12,000 sq. ft. 

www.anthropologie.com

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I realize now, after Jen’s frantic e-mail response, that our move requires a little explaining. We’ll be relocating to Toronto so Michael can complete an office exhange within his company. He’s getting the chance to report to the big boss man at Altus headquarters. While we’re there, I’ll be writing, creating and most likely interning with a TV show. In the meantime I am accepting tips for surviving in the land of snow.

the other day i hand wrote a letter to my friend matthew in combermere. i knew the words would only be read once. only for my eyes and his.

it felt like something sacred.

sacredness can not be commercialized, blogged or sold. it can’t be purchased, traded or craiglisted. it is once. forever. present. living.

sacredness is the holiness of a moment slipping through our aching hands.

i think jesus would think letter writing parties are wonderful.