Henry James

Henry James, the famous author and playright, was by all acounts a lover of Italy especially all things Venice. We are currently reading his travelogues of his many trips to this amazing country. His Victorian words are a nice companion to all the modern ones.

"The mere use of one's eyes in Venice is happiness enough."

Can't wait to see. March 15.

John

Trevi Fountain don't lie

Ah Venice. We're dawning the backpacks once again and heading back to the boot shaped country we love. Three years ago, we spent some amazing times in the Cinque Terre, Rome, Pompeii, Naples. This time we'll be celebrating 15 years of marriage and won't have the kids so we're classing things up and heading to Venice. Ah Venice, I agree Indy. Experts are saying if you want to see Venice, best to go in the next 10 years. The world's most beautiful city has been eroding for decades but still manages to draw millions a year. Venice, a city that can be trodden across in a quick hour, still has some 450 bridges allowing the masses to steer clear of the centuries of slurry flowing underneath. While some see stinky slurry most see history and culture which is why they're willing to pay $150 for a 4o minute Gondola ride, among other things. We've already booked our hotel and are quite excited as it's currently the top Venice hotel on Trip advisor and many other review sights. Plus, the price is reasonable... for Venice standards. More on Venice in the months to come!

We decided on Spring Break because next summer's Olympics are officially a black hole, sucking all available flights right off the grid. So yeah, if you were planning to fly to Europe next summer, be prepared to pay through the roof or fly into Tibet and cab to London. Speaking of London, we're stopping by at the end of the trip spending 2 nights and time at The British Museum, St Paul's Cathedral, WestMinister Abbey plus many moonlit hours walking along the Thames giggling and squeezing each other's bums -as lovers do. Angie just said "we're not doing that" so I guess the squeezing will be giggle free. Classy squeezing it is.

So, London will end things off and Venice will sandwich the experience but we're kicking things off in Rome March 12! In some twisted act of fate we missed out on The Forum last trip so we'll check that out - including everything Julius Caesar (I have a bit of a fascination with the guy). We also hope to check out The Appian Way and Catacombs. Mostly though, as with all places, we plan to wander through slowly sipping coffee, licking gelato and munching on pizza done right.

We'll be periodically posting pics, links and our thoughts here and there over the next several months leading up to March 11! 3 years ago I stood with my back to the Trevi fountain and tossed in all my coins. Can't wait to return!

John

Thanks closesineurope

I did it. I started a new blog. Thanks closesineurope, we had some good times, but we're not actually in Europe anymore so its time for something new.

Everyone! Please visit me here from now on. I'm still formatting it but the first post has been written. Angie will either write with me or start her own, or both.

John

Hong Kong

While I don't care for the Canucks I must say Vancouver has a great airport complete with free Wifi anywhere you are. I just spent the past hour chatting with the wife and kids on facebook. I'm a modern man. The best was when I told Lex I was having coffee with Troy from High School Musical. I am now an even awesomer dad. My plane leaves in 3 hours and my flight is supposed to last 14 hours. Wow. I thought the 8 hours to London was long I can't imagine this. The good thing is I have some good books and my laptop plus each seat on the plane has its own tv. It'll be fine as long as my back holds up. I slipped a disc a few days ago playing hockey but stubbornly kept playing. My wife wasn't impressed even when I told her I set up the winning goal. Apparently I should have been doing something noble whilst slipping a disc, like holding open a door or catching a falling baby. Anyways, I now walk wierd as Maddie compassionately said to me last night which. ..don't I always? Sitting is the worst thing for this kind of back injury which means I'll be the annoying wierdo who hobbles up and down the aisle every hour for "no apparent reason." I just read on Steve's blog that his back is out too. Man, we'll be terrific at this camp.

Well, its time to checkin to my flight. Should be a good time.

John

Due to the recession. . .

So its official. Last week I flew into Calgary, gathered up all our stuff and made the solitary drive through the mountains back to Crofton. The drive was fairly eventful as the road was closed from Field to Golden meaning I had to drive all the way to Radium Hot Springs then loop back to Golden. I had never been to the Springs but was frustrated enough when I arrived that I didn't really take them in. As I continued my road trip the roads got snowier and the semi's became more invincible. There were a few times when my knuckles bleached and Paddington Bear heard a profane word or two. Ah yes, Paddington Bear accompanied me. My friend Greg had jokingly seat belted my daughters London gift in with me and there PB stayed the entire trip. Some people enjoy driving hours and hours in bad weather with no radio, I'm not a big fan. In fact, I discovered I'm a bit more sociable then I even thought. I wouldn't be a liar if I said that Paddington became my Wilson as there were times when I engaged him. "So Paddington, what do ya say there, quite the road trip hey?" "Whoa, that was a close one, sorry about that Pad." "Stop, again, you just went?" We ended up bunking in Kamloops for the night and I almost brought PB into the hotel with me but thought otherwise. The next day I could tell he was miffed because he was very quiet and spend most of the time looking up at the cab roof as if to say "you used me, like a stuffed who. . ."

Anyways, we arrived back and moved into the 2 bedroom at the same hotel. The manager is very sweet and worked hard to get it ready for us and although there is still a faint urine smell we rented a black light and zapped the rest of it and other things. .. away. High five. There's twice as much room as our last place but still, after 6 months without a home, we drool for a place of our own.

Oh yeah, so the week I returned I had a meeting with the Church planting network and they said "due to the recession. . ." Yeah, not great news. They can only afford a third of what we need so the possibility of us getting hired suffered a major blow. We've haven't given up yet, I rarely although there does come a time when the line between moving in faith and forcing things is very faint. We love it on the Island and really hope to stay here but in the end I must have a secure job, wherever it may be. So. ..if you know anyone. ha.

Yeah, we're trying to stay positive and doing a fairly good job but there are moments when we "discuss" things with God and encourage him to make the right decision. ha.

For now, I'm focused on China. Yeah, I get to go to China after all. Hong Kong to be exact. On Sunday I fly out with Steve McMillan to speak at a Teen Retreat. 5 sessions, so we'll be busy. His sister Harmony works there and she's our connection. We're not that famous. I'm actually getting excited although I must admit its been hard concentrating on my talks with all the job stuff in the background not to mention some close Calgary friends who are going through hell.

Anyways, it was time to update and we feel loved that you care enough to hound us for information. We'll try to keep it coming at a faster pace.

John

Quote

"What I think is that a good life is one hero journey after another. over and over again, you are called to the realm of adventure, you are called to new horizons. Each time, there is the same problem: do I dare? And then if you do dare, the dangers are there, and the help also, and the fulfillment or the fiasco. There's always the possibility of fiasco. But there's always the possibiliity of bliss."

This great quote by Joseph Campbell perfectly sums up where we're at these days. All is well. We should have more to share soon.

John

What's next.

Hey everyone. As you've probably guessed, we arrived safely back in Canada 11 days ago. Since we've been back we've fought jet lag, schooled our Pawlak friends in Monopoly, reunited with our dog and attempted to answer the nagging question, what's next? I'd love to say we have an answer but as of this minute, we're still nomads.

We are currently staying in the tiny ocean town of Crofton, on Vancouver Island, contemplating our next step. Its a good place to be when you don't know where to be plus Angie's parents live here. They're full up at the moment so we're staying at The Twin Gables motel, an all fifties one bedroom hood where the TV works but Franklin is usually blue. Still, its cozy for now and has inspired us to contemplate at a faster pace, ha. The good news is we have been presented with 2 great opportunities so we'll persue both and see what happens. Either way, we should have an answer in the next 6 weeks, if not sooner. Actually if you want, you could pray that we'll sense God's leading and have the wisdom and courage to follow it. Thanks.

People ask us if its good to be home. While it's good to be back in Canada, we're not home. We're still staying in someone else's place, living out of our backpacks (our stuff remains stored in Calgary until our future is decided) and contemplating the future. Ask us on a good day and we'll tell you we're living the adventure, ask on a bad and we'll use different words. Its been good though, and while there've been plenty of moments, this experience has stretched and shaped us individually and as a family more than any stay at home experience could ever hope to. In fact, I heartily recommend you, yes you, buck security and comfort for a spell so you can learn to appreciate what you have and insure you're not holding on to anything too tightly. If you are it'll loosen you up freeing you in the end. The way I see it is either you loosen up or life will force you to loosen up. Might as well be proactive.

Anyways, thanks so much for following us on our European adventure. As for this blog, it'll stay in cyber space but we won't be writing on it anymore. In the mean time, we're working hard to get the rest of our pictures online. Once we do, you'll be the first to know. If you're curious to see what's next for us as well as read our thoughts on this and that, please keep on following. We'll post the new blog address soon, so I guess we'll be writing here again after all.

The adventure continues.

John

P.S. Speaking of adventure, God went ahead and dumped a whack of snow here the other night. The locals are baffled but we're loving it, similar to the score in the hockey game last night.