The robot and other assorted things...

It seems like everyone has a different opinion of how to handle the end of the semester. All the undergrads are partying like it's 1999, and the library is full of frazzled, older looking (I'm assuming graduate) students who look like they haven't slept since 1999. Clearly, I am part of the latter group, but because of the former group, I cannot think straight. In fact, there's a giant robot dance-off party happening right now OUTSIDE the library. Hundreds of people (namely, the undergrads) are wearing metallic costumes made of tin foil and glitter and are trying to beat the Guiness world record of people doing the Robot at the same time. Techno music is blaring. The kids are gyrating and robot-ing out of their costumes. Did I mention that this is all happening RIGHT OUTSIDE THE LIBRARY?!

These are the kind of days that make me feel really old. At first I thought it was kind of neat/slightly rejuvenating to be back on campus with a bunch of nineteen and twenty year-olds. Now I want to strangle everyone I see who's doing the robot. This leads me to my next thought, which is about getting the heck outta dodge as soon as this semester is over. I'm going home to Birmingham/Montgomery for a week. Laynie's birthday is on May 7th, so I'm happy to get back for that (I can't believe that kid will be one!). It will be nice to be out of Canada/the Pacific North West for a while. I feel like I've had all the rainy cold drizzle I can stand...my frizzy hair needs a serious break...as does my over-worked brain.

Aside from the fact that the power has just gone out in the library (perhaps the speakers from which the robot techno dance music was blaring blew a fuse?), there is quite a bit of good news to report. Tommy is making his way here in May. He will be working remote from Vancouver (this means living with me this summer!), and then our plans include moving to Blaine, Washington (this is a short jaunt from Canada--about 45 minutes to school for me) when our lease runs out in August. This means he will still be able to work for Back Country (as a contractor), but for tax reasons, we need to be in the states to make this happen. We also need to be in the states so Madison can have a yard (places with yards here will cost you your firstborn plus at least an arm or a leg). I can't believe this is finally happening; It's going to be so great to have him here...finally!

Also, my friends Ali and Meg came to visit over Easter Break. We had a great time, and the best part was introducing them to my friends here---aka Canadian Ali and Meg. I know, I know, having two sets of friends with exactly the same names is a bit much, but I've been blessed enough to accrue two sets of Alis and Megs. I'm including a picture of all of us at the top of this blog (it's a little blurry, but I feel like I need to document the almost rift in the time continuum as a result of their meeting). I took Utah Ali and Meg shopping, eating, and hiking. It was a grand old time!

Ok, the power is back on, and I guess all the robot dancers are done dancing, because I don't hear them anymore. Perhaps I should go back to the always fascinating land of the annotated bibliography. ONLY TWO MORE WEEKS OF THIS SEMESTER, AND THEN I'M FREEE!

Love to you all,
S

**edit** Tommy found a picture online of the Robot Dance-off. The Library is to the right of the students. http://www.flickr.com/photos/sfupamr/4503434595/sizes/l/

cherry blossoms and T in Vancouver...

So the cherry blossoms are blooming here, and things are feeling rather spring-like, I must say. I crave the beginning of spring since living in Salt Lake (that first winter was sooo long--it lasted until May!), so now whenever I see those first blooms, and the weather becomes just a tad warmer, and the days are just a little bit longer, my heart feels glad, and I know it's almost SANDAL weather! Strange thing to look forward to, I know...but man I love wearing sandals and skirts and tanktops. In fact, my summer wardrobe is my favorite. All those bright colors...all those flowy skirts! Anyway, I digress--the real reason for a blog is that I have pictures to share, and a story to tell (although, it's really just a version of the same old story)....

I guess it begins with this semester. I have two classes that aren't really in my field, and they pose problems for me because I am so ready to be working on my own project; you know, that thing they admitted me into PhD school to do... I feel like I have a mixture of Spring Fever/Senioritis--that strange blend of apathy with a pinch of I'd rather be having a brownie. Lucky for me, a little thing called the Olympics came into town.

This two week vacation (oh, my!) turned out to be what I dubbed a "brain break." It was really just an excuse for me to do nothing and hang out with Tommy and our friends in Salt Lake City. I had such a good time with everyone, but when I got back, the proverbial poop definitely hit the fan. Sigh. The good news is that Tommy surprised me by coming back with me. He will leave here on Thursday, but I've had him to myself for the past three weeks now. Today, after three days of cramming in all the work I was supposed to do on my Olympic break, we headed to Vancouver for some sight-seeing. Like a true tourist, Tommy carried his camera around his neck and took some neat pictures before his battery died. We visited the Vancouver Art Gallery (we especially enjoyed the Da Vinci exhibit and the British Columbia exhibit), Little India (where we had a rather interesting lunch buffet), and then we went to Granville island via the new streetcar named the Olympic Line. We actually spent most of the day on public transit (I swear we rode the SkyTrain at least 12 times, and I used almost all my hand sanitizer trying not to catch the raging swiner), but it was so nice just to be out and about (or, oot and aboot, if you prefer to speak Canadianese).

My favorite pictures are from the SkyTrain station (I think it was Burrard Station) where the Cherry Blossoms were blooming. As we walked up into the daylight from the SkyTrain platform, all you could see were the blossoms. I knew that outside of them lay the concrete jungle of Vancouver and all the little failures of this week, but for some reason, all I could focus on was the smell and the sheer canopy of them. As I watched Tommy get out his camera, I remembered how important it is to focus on something other than my work and my troubles...sometimes you just need someone to help you see the sights and the ability to actually open your eyes and see them...

To Cherry Blossoms!
xo,
s

update!

Top to Bottom: Hunkes in TN, New Clark Family Babies and Cousins, Nim and Laynie, Creel Cousins. Below: Sarah in Seattle

I hate that it's been about a million forevers (ok, two months, whatever) since I've posted, especially since so many things (things requiring photo documentation!) have occurred. These things are inclusive of, but of course not limited to:

• The torture of all tortures--finals week (I survived!)
• The great trek to Alabama by way of first driving to Salt Lake City
• Christmas in Alabama--Laynie rode around in a wagon!
  
• Christmas in Tennessee--four new babies!
  
• Flying out of Nashville after the terrorist scare on Christmas day AND THEN driving back to Vancouver from SLC...

Shew, I'm tired after just bulleting those things out. It was all worth it, though. We got to spend a lot of time with our families, and what's more important than that? Nothing. I felt especially grateful this year to spend time with all my cousins (see above picture), especially my cousin Dale. It seems that no matter how much things change, I always see him as the skinny little pest of my childhood (in a good way). Being at Nanny and PawPaw's house with everyone reminded me of those days, and it was fun to also have husbands and boyfriends and soon to be financees all around us. The big yellow house in the country was so full--full of games, and food (what would Christmas be without the little burgers?!), and kids running around everywhere. It was insane...it was wonderful.

From there we went to Birmingham to celebrate with the Hunkes. We even got to see Tommy's aunt and uncle, Juanita and Jim, for a bit, and that was really nice. Then Dave, Sherrie, Kenny, Tommy, and myself headed to Tennessee for the annual Clark Christmas extravaganza. With four new babies in the family this year, it was quite the event! Projectile spit up, bottles, and tired parents abounded, but there were enough babies to hold and kiss on, and the food was amazing (as per the Clark usual), so all was well.

From there Tommy and I travelled back to Salt Lake City. It felt weird to be leaving him after a solid month of being together. He flew into Vancouver during what I refer to as the seventh circle of hell, better known as finals week, and was such a welcome sight. He cooked; he walked the dog; he cleaned; he did the laundry. He was so wonderful to me. Then he didn't take his flight back to SLC--he waited in order to drive with me and Mads through the winter weather to SLC. And then...he let me drive his car back to Vancouver, and he took my Corrolla (which looks like it has a giant fur coat covering in the backseat--not to mention that it's been broken into, backed into things, etc etc). Basically, he wins the good husband award of the year. Our plans as of right now are to see one another during the Olympic break (I'm getting the heck out of dodge), and then for him to move here at some point over the summer. We'd like for him to have something full-time here, but we think we can work if he can get contract work. It's worth whatever it takes.

And so I'm back in Vancouver. I'm glad to be back, and I know this is because I have an amazing set of family and friends who love me. It's easy to lose sight of who I am and where I come from when I'm here in a city full of people who don't know me and don't care to. It's easy to become one in millions, to hide behind reading and a degree and being alone. But I remembered what I had come close to forgetting--that I am here because everything lined up for me to be here. Because you all have been a part of my life and encouraged me and loved me.

And so I go back to the usual with a grateful heart.
xo,
s

bad things come in threes, right?!

Before I get into my life as of late, the above pictures are: (bottom to top) Tommy and his family and PawPaw after his sweet Nonnie's memorial service in Arizona, Maggie Bayer with BRACES, Queen Madison on the couch, Friends in SLC, and the view from my window...fog fog EVERYWHERE...oh and freezing pelting rain, too!

So, we've all heard the old adage that bad things come in threes. Well, I'm three for three, and it had better stop soon, or else I'll...I'll...stomp my feet and cry...yes, that's what I'll do! So there! Last Tuesday my wallet was stolen out of my office, along with my i-pod. Yesterday, I had a student situation from the bad place, a situation that won't be resolved for a while. And if you know me, you know how I need everyone to like me and be happy, etc etc. So the fact that the student situation isn't resolved like, right now, is driving me cuh-razy. And todayyyyyy I went to one of the only places I'll allow myself to go other than my office or the library--Sushi Town. I go to Sushi town once a week, and the waitresses know where I sit and what I'll eat (i.e. nothing with eyeballs or tentacles hanging out of it), so they'll even offer suggestions. I walk in; I have some hot tea, and basically just chill out for an hour or so. Also, I always bring Madison with me and just leave her in the car. I crack the windows--she's fine. At any rate, it's usually better than leaving her in the apartment to bark while I'm gone (I'm completely terrified of my neighbors who already shoot lasers at me with their eyes when I see them in the hallway). Anyway, I digress, so back to the Sushi town story: I finished eating my tasty raw fish combination from heaven, and I run in the rain to my car. My key won't fit in the lock. I also notice that Madison the Fearless Shetland Pony Dog is going nuts. Like slamming her body against the windshield whilst barking nuts. Odd. I'm still trying to get my key to unlock the door (in the freezing rain, mind you), when I bend down to have a look at the lock. It's mangled. Weird, I think. I run over to the passenger side door, unlock it, and then crawl over. On the drive home it hits me--someone has tried to break into my car with a crow bar. I get back to the apartment, and my theory holds true: the lock is completely torn up. It looks like someone tried to use the wrong screwdriver to unscrew something. This explains Madison going nuts, and as I tell Tommy this, I mention that I wondered what the criminal would have done if he had gotten into the car. Tommy says, "well, probably he would have hit Mads with the crowbar." I lost it. Stolen wallets, crazy students, and an almost bloody and mangled dog? That's a bit much for one girl to handle!

In other (more positive) news, I got to go to Salt Lake this past weekend! It was g-reat to see the Tomster and all our SLC friends. We BBQed, hung out, and I took a NAP! Who knew such glorious things existed anymore?! It was just what I needed to come back. I probably would be rocking back and forth and hugging myself tonight if I hadn't gotten the chance to go to SLC this weekend. So fun!

Things aren't quite as terrible as I'm making them seem. I still love school (the part where I'm in school, anyway), and I certainly love the people here. I have a couple of really good friends, and my advisor has been really supportive. I also get to see the fam in about a WEEK! I'm going to Tennessee for a conference, and I'll see them on my way in and out of Birmingham. I can't wait to see LAYNIE! She had better be ready to spend some quality time with her Aunt Sarah (and by quality time I mean she had better be ready to fit in my backpack as I kidnap her and take her with me).

All in all, sometimes bad stuff just happens--whether you live in Canada by yourself with your gigantor dog or not. At least I have Mads; she's probably the reason the mean car thief didn't finish the job. Actually, had he broken in, with my luck, she probably would have bitten his face off, and then I would have been sued...that's just how awesome my life usually is.

Anyway, I miss each and every one of you! And even though I've been stolen from, yelled at about a paper grade, and had my car almost stolen, I STILL want to get a PhD! That's good, right? That means I'm resilient...or stubborn as a mule...my guess is the latter, but I'll let you decide.

Love from the land of freezing rain,
S

Baker has graduated from Basic!

After two weeks of glorious sunshine, today has been rather cold and grey, and the forecast for the rest of the week isn't looking great. Well, it's looking like typical Vancouver weather--rainy and the kind of cold that gets in your bones and settles there. Can't wait. Me and My friend Meagan were contemplating this shift in weather today as we walked to a cafe on campus for a quick bite to eat between the obligations from which we run to and fro like chickens with our heads cut off. She said to me, "So, what's the weather in the South like?" I replied, "Well, it's a bit like living in a sweaty armpit in the summer, and it never really gets all that cold in the winter." Appalled by this no-winter-time quasi-fantasy land (I've found that it really is difficult for Canadians to conceptualize the American South; much like it's difficult for Americans to really understand what it means to be Canadian), Meagan continued to ask me questions about what living in the South is really like. And so, over cornbread and veggie chilli (neither of which were remotely comparable to my mom's chilli or my nanny's cornbread), I told her, as best I could, what it's like to grow up in and live in the South. Filtered through my recent experiences of living in the American West and Canada, here's what I told her:

• The South has a sense of community unlike any place on earth. Growing up in the South means that you are always under the watchful eye of somebody--whether this "somebody" is a church member, a neighbor, or an aunt, uncle, or grandparent. This, of course, means that as a Southerner, you have an extensive net of people who are there for you at any time of the day or night.
• This sense of community extends to the Southern phrase "she would give you the shirt of her back if you needed it." This is true of most Southerners, and as I explained to Meagan, it's especially true of my family. I've seen so many instances of selfless giving in my life, that moving out West was a complete shock to my delicate Southern sensibilities (to use Scarlett O'hara-esque terminology). Take talking to people in the grocery store for example. Southerners do this. No one else does. Take waving to people while driving or acknowledging them when you pass by in the street. This does not happen here. These things may not be "giving you the shirt off my back," but they certainly go a long way in terms of brightening the world up a bit.
• The last thing I told her was about the food. About how butter, half and half, and cheese go in about everything; that is, unless it's fried. About how food brings a sense of togetherness to the family gathering after church on Sunday. About how food gives you something to laugh over and enjoy slowly. Meagan nodded slowly as she chewed her non-Southern cornbread, and I could tell that maybe the only way to really understand all of the things I had said would be to experience them, because, for all the bad things said about the South (racism, rednecks, etc), there are a whole host of things that belong to us: hospitality (in every sense of the word), food, and a community who loves and supports and makes life enjoyable, secure, and pleasant.

Talking to her about my "Alabama life," as she coined it, I realized how much of this sense of "Southerness" I carry with me: I'm stubborn; I'm fiercely loyal, and I was taught to acknowledge, love, and appreciate those around me, and of course I'm a huge fan of butter and anything fried! And, in keeping with the loving aspect of Southern life and community, I want to tell you that if I haven't told you recently that I love you, I certainly do. If you're reading this blog, you can count on that.

This blog is dedicated to Baker, who took his Southerness to Basic Training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. I bet he understands every single thing I've just written.

Love to you all,
S

raincoats, birthdays, and the first day(s) of school

First things first: HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY FAVORITE TRIPLETS!  Molly, Ally, and Natalie were born on this day when I was sixteen years old, which means they are now ELEVEN! I think they look so grown up in this picture.  Maggie's birthday is in about a week, so in case I don't get a chance to blog then, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAGGIE!  I can't believe you will be ten years old!

Now, on to the dog in the rain slicker...since thursdays are the only day of the week I have off (weekends are for reading, and thursdays should be too, but I need at least one day to go to the grocery store, etc!), I took Madison to Buntzen lake.  We hiked a good bit, and there's a neat dog area where the dogs can play in the water, so Madison got her feet and underbelly wet and then proceeded to roll around in the sand.  Awesome.  Anyway, we played outside for a bit (it was sooooo nice to be outside--I feel like I've been cooped up in the apartment or my office for the past two weeks!), and then we went to buy people and dog groceries.  While in the pet store, the lady said, "oh, we just got the cutest rain slickers in, and I think we have one that would fit your dog!"   Uh...yes please!  So I bought a pink one.  It obviously doesn't cover all of her, but hopefully it will cut down on the amount of water she's bringing into the apartment after every time I walk her in the rain...which is a lot.

On to the next topic: school is great.  I mean, I don't have time to eat, and I sleep from the hours of about 1 am to 6 am, but I really really like it.  Why do I like this fresh hell, you ask?  Well.  Let me just tell you that it's everything I hoped it would be: the reading, the teachers, the collaborative students--it sounds cheesy, but there really is learning in the air here.  I've made several great friends, and people are genuinely helpful and kind in the department.  People talk about English studies in a hopeful, anticipatory way, like they've been waiting to be in this atmosphere, too.  I really can't say enough about how happy I am in school.  As my friend Meredith would say, I'm busier than a one-legged man in a rear-end kicking contest (edited for language content), but I absolutely love it.

And it gets better!  Tommy will be here next Tuesday through the weekend.  I'm really looking forward to seeing him and to having him walk Madison for me.  Single parenthood is hard work!  He's still looking for jobs up this way, so continue to keep your fingers crossed for him.  As I was sitting overlooking Buntzen lake this morning, in the kind of stillness that can be heard, I really felt a sense of peace about all of it.  I know I'm in a good, supportive place, and I know he will be soon, and I can't wait for us to be there together!

Rain, Fog, Crustaceans, and Tear-inducing Shoes

This is what I saw when I walked in tonight.

I love crustaceans!

Not sure I've ever seen T so happy as above

at Maeghan and Nic's Wedding in Seattle

I kinda wanted to wait until class started to post another blog (mostly just to have something to actually write about), but I find myself wanting to write about today. Sometimes I think that blogging feels less legitimate than writing in my journal (which I do fairly often and have since I was at Auburn), but I like idea of being able to share things like this with you, especially since most of you are my family, and since I don't get to see you as much as I want to, it makes me feel better to tell you about things, even if it is via the ofttimes impersonal media of the internet.

I dropped Tommy off at the Seattle airport at about 5:30 this morning and then drove to Vancouver. I got pulled over in Arlington (small town in Washington near the US/Canada border) for going 64 in a 60 mph zone. If that wasn't bad enough, I had to explain why my drivers license is from Alabama, my car is registered in Utah, and my passport says I'm quasi-Canadian. Needless to say, the guy was a jerk, but he let me off the "hook" (I use scare quotes because who usually cares about going FOUR MILES OVER THE SPEED LIMIT?!) after I less than adeptly tried to explain my situation to him. I also looked like puffed up roadkill after not showering, crying all the way from Seattle, AND the giant feast we ate the night before (more on that in a minute). I think he could probably sense a meltdown coming and wanted to back slowly away from my car. Can't say I blame him. Most of you have seen me have a meltdown; it ain't pretty.

The good news is that I had a wonderful time in Seattle with Tommy. We went to a friend's wedding in Arlington, and then we left a little early to eat at the Crab Pot. The Crab Pot is this wonderful place in Seattle that Tommy saw on Man Vs. Food (we watch too much TLC) where they pretty much dump a bucket full of crustaceans, red potatoes, and corn on your plate, give you a mallet and a bib, and let you go at it. It was crustacean-crackin' heaven, if I do say so myself. All in all, it was good to see a beautiful wedding ceremony (I like to go to weddings with T because they always remind me of our own and the commitment we made to each other) and then stuff our faces full of sea creatures (the shrimp still had their heads on, and their beady little eyes were staring at me, which was rather disconcerting, but I ate them anyway...suckahhhhs!).

Now I'm back in Vancouver, and Madison keeps looking at me like, "Hey, where's that guy who buys us food?" I explained to her that he'd be back soon, but she just proceeded to get on the couch and turn around and lie down--even though she knows this is against the rules.

I took her out a little while ago in our first official Vancouver weather dog walk. We walked to the huge koi pond on campus, and the fog was so thick and intense, and the rain just drizzled away, as if to mirror my feelings exactly. When I got home, my pink cons were sitting next to Tommy's big 'ol dress shoes, and they were so comfortable together that I just had to take a picture. And I know that that's what we are, too--comfortable together.