Coulda Woulda Shoulda

In less than two weeks, I will be on UK soil. It will be a flashback and a new adventure all at the same time. Flashback because we have not been there in 4.5 years (!!) and it feels like yesterday we set off on our Asia excursion. It felt like home for so long; it's strange to think that I've been away that long. New adventure because for the first time, we'll be on vacation with D's family, abroad together in his parents' homeland, enjoying each others company while also doing it in such a picturesque place like the countryside of England. To top it off, we arrive on the day before the London  2012 Olympics close. Still reeling with pride from experiencing it live during Vancouver 2010, I can't wait to soak up a bit of that hometown pride that I'm sure is spilling out all over the country. I'm a lucky girl ... looking forward to feeling revived and re-energized by a trip down memory lane, filled with new memories.

Having just returned from 3 weeks visiting friends and family, I must say quality can beat out quantity any time. I feel even more solid in my belief that combining close relationships with a nomadic lifestyle is achievable. There are challenges, risks, sacrifices and yet, what life doesn't have these things? I have more write here, things I discovered about myself on this journey, things that came to light because of this journey and things that I've learned next time would be better to do (bring my travel partner D for starters) It was a great trip home. Filled with stories and memories I hope to share. But mostly, now, I'm enjoying being back on my couch, implementing the ideas that percolate when you surround yourself with the energy of loving friends and family.

It may perhaps be because I spent the weekend with a luverly bunch of mothers or perhaps its just because I'm addicted to this site but I decided to check out today's Momversation only to find it taught me something about my mother. Do You Judge Young Mothers? | Momversation Posted using ShareThis My mom was so "lucky" to spend her 20s with me as a child and her 30s with me as a teenager. Being a woman who has now been through my 20s and creeping into my 30s, I have even more love and adoration for her. I mean, I know I'm fun, but MORE fun than a karaoke room? Actually, I suppose they may give you a similar experience... But I digress. Because the point of today is my respect for my mom got even LARGER and even I didn't think that was possible when I considered the possibility that being a young mother may have actually been quite a lonely place. I remember she said she relished 30 because by then, she was a mother of 4 and was just happier to be taken a bit ...

....THE REST OF US!! Christmas has always been a sea of change for D and I. Over the past 10 years, I've spent it in many place most memorably last year's Moscow and of course all of our years in England and Ireland. This year is no exception. Being home for Christmas is like this added bonus to at the end of another year in transition. I actually started shopping earlier this year, sent my cards on time, had a budget, stuck to it - well, okay, MOSTLY but I only have one week to be frivolous - and and soaking up as much Christmas music as I can. (For those of you needing Christmas music 24/7, I found this AMAZING radio website) We get to partake in our own traditions - mimosas on Christmas morning - and old ones - time with family over the holidays. Our Christmas actually begins this Saturday with the arrival of my mom. My grandmother arrives as well on Sunday. My sister, bro-in-law and nephew will be there - I can't remember the last time I had that many of my family mem...

My littlest sister H has etched out yet another talent (she can sing, write, act, and look beautiful without trying) to add to her repertoire and has come up with a pretty inventive way of showing it. Her new blog, Baby Samurai Story , is a fictional story about a Japanese woman, daughter of a Samurai, who becomes a mother without necessarily choosing to do so. It's the prefect length for a quick read and is very engaging. Her descriptive passages are so clear and crisp, I could actually visualize what her characters. It's very comic book-'episotic' style writing (can you say 300 anyone?) and was just a really new, fresh take on blog writing. What got her interested? Well, her Gemini-distracto mind came up with the idea after she was researching her newest talent, samurai pants. Baby Samurai They are unique as well as flexible, funky as well as functional, easy to clean, easier to put on and just the perfect accessory for any little warrior.

This weekend I will have the honour of celebrating the 80th birthday of one of the kindest, most understanding, most lovely-laugh octogenarians I know. I'm quite proud to be able to say my Grandmother N, full of all her facilities, turned 80 today. That's such a big number. And yet, she still doesn't seem that OLD to me. I saw her just a couple of months ago and it was like when I used to visit her as a small child, being spoiled by celery and cheese whiz, staying up late and of course, a chance to watch Three's Company. Happy Birthday Grandma - I'm very proud to be your granddaughter and can't wait to give you a hug and big sloppy kiss when I see you tomorrow.

I have had such wonderful family and friend connections happen over the last month and a half. My new job is taking up a lot of my time (what else is knew) but I am still finding time to spend with all of those people I made this trek back for. Getting to know people again and actually spending very little time at all connecting has been so wonderful. Knowing that my weekends are filled with weddings adn cottages and bbqs and girls nights out gives me such comfort. It's a life that I left behind, that I don't regret not being a part of back then but enjoy that it's part of this journey now. Some things have not turned out the way we planned since we got back. We were prepared for that. But the core of the reason we are here continues to be there. For the people. And not in a political speech kinda way. Just to be here with the people that we missed. To recapture some of the time that was lost. And to rejoice in the fact that I feel as though I've had the best of both wo...

This year is quite a special Mother's Day because we've added two new mothers to the mix. Both my sisters joined the special land of motherhood this past fall and will look at this day a lot differently than they have in the past. In honour of all the mothers in my family, I thought I would write a few words about what each one has taught me. My father's mother has taught me not only how to make a great pie or some super canned jam and chili sauce, but also how to stay young. Surround yourself with young people, journey around the world as though you're 25 and always be the last one to leave the kegger. My mother's mother has taught me the importance of honest hard work. As a teacher when not many women were out in the workforce, she spent tireless hours educating children, just like me, to go out into the world and conquer. And always with a smile on her face and a positive outlook on life. D's mom has taught me patience. Patience with your children. Patience w...

Nuff said.

At 1:40pm on November 8th, Little Mr. Marshall Gary Cassidy arrived. 3 weeks early and ready to take on the world, just like his parents. My heart is bursting with excitement. I can't wait to talk to my sister, who, according to my mom I just spoke to, is doing well but very tired. C - well done sister - you are now a mom. Does that mean I get to beg you for things too? K - excellent job coach! Now the fun begins :) Little Mr. Marshall - you're gonna be SO SPOILED you have no idea :)

Last Friday we tagged along with the kindergartens to see the Korean version of The Wizard of Oz. Part of me was confused why we had to go in the first place as we don't speak Korean and then the other part of me realised, that's EXACTLY why we should go along...because...well...sometimes it's very korean to do things that don't make any sense. In the end we actually enjoyed ourselves, looking at the little kiddies eyes light up, learning new words such as "Dorashee" instead of the regular 'Dorothy'. My favorite addition to the play, when they happen upon the Tinman, he seems to have his heart but longs to be a member of the circus as multiple chorus members, surrounded him on stage, dancing and contorting themselves as he enviously looked on. There was lots of drumming as well, which I guess was a great distraction from the story line for 6 year olds but also made me immediately turn to D and say: 'I know who would love this musical'. Almost i...

When I was younger, me and my siblings used to use our parents archaic stereo system to blare music like the Dirty Dancing and Tiffany REALLY LOUD just so that we could make up dances and perform them for the bi-annual video-camera-renting-extravaganza. When my parents actually bought a video camera it actually got even worse and we did more and more songs with more and more elaborate moves and....then the novelty wore off. But before it did we also, on occasion, would learn songs at school and then come home and perform various shows for the camera. There was a classic version of 'A Bicycle Built for Two' - me on bended kneed with my coke bottle glasses at the end of my nose as Henry and my dramatic sister C, pulling a face and being all dainty as Daisy. Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer true I'm half crazy over the likes of you It won't be a stylish marriage I can't afford a carrige But you'll look sweet upon the seat of a bicycle built for two... I'm sure...

Although this is a day late, I thought I'd throw some kudos out there to my sister and brother-in-law on their first anniversary. A year ago yesterday, both of our families were joining together and celebrating their official union. Weird to think that a year has gone by and we're all still so spread out all over the place. In honour of their big day, I thought I appropriate to post some snaps of what was happening last year at this time. Clearly much more exciting that my battle with the yellow dust... A fairy tale ending for a prince and her dashing prince...

I'm sending out these wishes to a woman who is probably as I type enjoying some Carib beer or a nice glass of red wine at a beach bar in sunny Barbados. I'm pretty sure she won't be logging on today to see this entry. We had a mini celebration when the whole family was together for H's wedding for my mom's big day. She has never been one to like much of a fuss and surprises annoy her mostly so it was a low key lunch followed by, a few momento gifts but no cake or singing, because in addition to not enjoying surprises, she also does not like drawing attention to herself in public. (And for the last fact, I think all of us Vint kids should get DNA testing since I'm not quite sure how the loudest, attention seeking people could actually have been spawned from one so publicly timid) Last night, I started to think about my mom and how this is big birthday. They always talk about the big 5-0, middle age, over the hill, time to buy the red sports car and get yourself a...

I've finally updated my 365 Project and have realised it's going to look a lot more like a 133 project if I don't ACTUALLY put the effort into taking one every day. I took a look at a few other people's and feeling a bit like..mm..how do you say...I SUCK AT TAKING PICTURES!!! I've only just realised that this whole project is probably mostly for arty good-picture-taking people but in the end, as any good kindergarten teacher would say, if I've had fun, that's all that matters I'm getting ready to head home in TWO DAYS and I can't believe it. I seem to be having a mix of different emotions about the whole thing A - I'm so excited to see all my family B - I am only going home for really, 4 full days C - D will not be with me D - I'm so excited to be in an environment that feels more like what I'm used to E - I'm so scared of what will happen to me when I have to come back E is the one that is actually niggling away the most. When I woul...

I found another cheeky monkey: Another day of kid pics - you'd think I was getting a bit broody? Ha ha... Mostly I believe it's because I'm thinking of Little Miss NA, my middle-namesake, who has been very ill over the past couple of weeks - she scared a lot of people back home with menegitis and I wish I could be home to give her a great big hug. But I hear she's getting back to her normal little cute self and for that, I'm very happy. Fingers and toes crossed she continues to keep smiling.