(Extra)Ordinary

On the last official day of Summer, I awoke suddenly, and my first thought was " I HAVE to look out the window right now." I'm not sure which is stranger, this ridiculous desire, or the fact that I actually got out of my extremely comfortable bed, and did it.  It was around four in the morning, and my apartment was just dimly lit by the city lights from outside.  Quietly, but with some urgency, I walked to the open window, and pushed my face up against the screen.  There, in front of me, was a full and golden moon. Thick beams of amber light shot up to the top, bottom, and sides: a perfect, stunning, unbelievable cross in the sky.  I blinked.  I  ran to the office, and then to the living room, and then to the spare bedroom, thinking it must be a trick played on me by the glass, or the screen. I tried to take photos, pinched myself, and blinked several more times - I must be imagining this.  It must be a really, vivid dream.  Finally I allowed myself to stand still, and silently stare at this phenomenon which I was witnessing.   I love the little moments in life.  Whether miracles of nature, or just funny little you-had-to-be-there stories, I think it's amazing that it only takes seconds to create memories that  could last forever.   

I'm finally (knock on wood) almost over the cold that's been haunting me for the last couple of weeks, and with the return of my ability to breathe normally, has been a lifting of my spirits.  I'm not sure if it's health, or the season, or the things I've been up to this week, or maybe just a renewed breath of life in me...but the world just keeps seeming more and more wonderful.  Autumn hit with the equinox - almost exactly.  Overnight millions of leaves changed from green to yellow, and now with each passing day the city is becoming more vibrant as orange and red take over the trees, and the ground as well.  Though there are definitely still hot days, scarves, sweaters, and mitts are beginning to make appearances around me.  I've also seen my breath in the air already.  And all of these observations, which I could linger on for hours, have happened in the company of friends. 

Friday after C4C, we all went out to enjoy bubble tea in the byward market before the weather gets too cool.  While I definitely wouldn't want to be the one or two lone workers who are suddenly swarmed by a large group, I enjoy being part of the group which all at once takes up the entire restaurant.  I love losing my voice by the end of the evening, because we've been talking and laughing so much.  After 4 hours with the group, Amber and I, and two friends - Carla and Cassie - headed back to our place to play a much anticipated game of Munchkin. Maturity flies out the window with this one, and potentially, any remaining respect you still have for me.  It's a card game of battling monsters with the most ridiculous weapons.  It's a ruleless, ruthless game, which had us laughing ferociously.  And please don't think pokemon - this is much more fun, and much more entertaining.  I'm hooked!  After being terribly behind for most of the game, I teamed up with everyone to make it impossible for Cassie to win, and then forced her to either lose a point, or accept my help (and thus share the glory) to battle the monster.  So the two of us defeated it together, and won the match....at 1 am.  We then walked her home, and returned for what was going to be a sleepover with Carla...but actually turned into watching ridiculous youtube videos, and laughing so hard we were balling until almost 5 in the morning.  

I woke up 5 hours later feeling unusually rested, and proceeded on with a quiet day of organizing, and procrastinating.  Amber's mom and little brother were visiting from Toronto, so they were out together for most of the afternoon.  I admit that having them over made me a little homesick, well, maybe not homesick, but I guess just really wanting my family to be able to visit me too.  It was also fun having them over though! After going to Amber's church, which now meets on Saturday nights, I came home and spent some time preparing for Cross Training at Grace the next morning.

Sunday, I left the apartment around 830, walked to the mall to catch the 95, sat on the bus for about 20 minutes, and then transferred to another bus which would get me almost all the way to church.  When I stepped off the second bus, I was overwhelmed by how fresh and beautiful the air smelled. I think this is the first time in Ottawa that I've noticed loving how the air smells.  It had just rained, and the leaves had just started to fall, and I was far enough from major highways to actually smell nature...mmmm...nature.   

After worship, I left with the kids to observe cross training - and meet some of the youth so that in two weeks, when I teach by myself, it will be a little less awkward.  I am even more excited now to be working with the Sr Youth at Grace - they seem like such an awesome group of young people, and I can't wait to get to know them more!  Church was followed by a potluck brunch, and then I went home to get some work done.  I love Sundays!

Monday I returned to school, and after my morning class and doing some stuff for C4C, I went to the market with Allison (who just graduated from EMCS and is now attending uOttawa too!).  It's so weird having someone from home here! But I'm enjoying spending time with her each week, talking about life, rez, classes, and things that are different in Ottawa.  I bought some local fruits and vegetables, including purple cauliflower, which I bought specifically for Amber, who I'm trying to teach to love vegetables. Then I came home, did some work, did some skyping, cooked shepherd's pie, and enjoyed the rest of my evening with Amber.  

The last few days have been pretty ordinary, a word which here means, full of their own special moments, combined with the every day tasks of cooking, cleaning, and going to school. 

Here ends this post.