
...and it's probably almost time to start writing our 6th annual Christmas letter, if you can believe that!

Nov 11, 2009 | Posted by Joel at 8:21 PM 0 comments Links to this post
posted by Sarah
Last weekend we went to Steveston, which is a quaint fishing village about 40 minutes south of us. I wanted to to a little bit of location scouting for the video project that I'll be working on for the next couple of months. Here are some pictures (taken with my cameraphone, they're surprisingly good):
Sep 26, 2009 | Posted by Joel + Sarah at 1:17 PM 1 comments Links to this post
posted by Sarah
Hello! We were lucky to have a great sunshiney last weekend before the fall gloom set in (today was wet, wet, wet). Here are some pics around our new hometown for your enjoyment!

A nice manhole mosaic featuring construction workers.
Taken from the bus downtown. Lots of glass!
While taking an evening stroll in our neighborhood, Kitsilano, we stumbled upon a film shoot of "Marmaduke" the movie. Whoopee!
The star of the show himself!
Sep 16, 2009 | Posted by Joel + Sarah at 9:06 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: autumn, photography, Vancouver
posted by Sarah
We're both back in the classroom, although this time it's quite different - Joel's getting his PhD in TESOL and I'm getting a certificate in Multimedia.
Although we haven't experienced quite the same levels of culture shock that we did when moving to China, we certainly have a small but growing list of Canadian quirks that remind us that we're actually North of the Border. Here are some:
1. Canadians are generally REALLY friendly. Even the ones helping with setting up bank accounts on the phone.
2. Canadians like to sit/stand around and chat for a much longer period than Americans.
3. Canadians seem to be immune to cold, wet weather and some fashionable women dress in shorts and sandals in 18 degree weather (that's 64 degrees F for you southerners!).
4. Vancouver is probably the most international city I've visited (and that includes Shanghai and Hong Kong)... there are parts of downtown that seem to have been beamed directly from Tsim Sha Tsui.
Some pictures will be on the way, once we get a chance to take a few!
Sep 9, 2009 | Posted by Joel + Sarah at 10:02 PM 0 comments Links to this post
Vancouver BC, here we come!
Aug 30, 2009 | Posted by Joel + Sarah at 7:30 PM 1 comments Links to this post
posted by Sarah
The shredded remains of the back tire. The burnt rubber actually flaked into little pieces as Joel lifted it off.
After the first mishap, the rest of our journey up north was thankfully uneventful, and we got into Vancouver in the evening to Sarah's uncle and aunt's home where we stayed. The next day was nothing but apartment hunting, and we saw about eight apartments. Whew! We decided on a friendly one bedroom basement suite in the great neighborhood of Kitsilano, an area equidistant from both UBC to the west (where Joel will study) and downtown to the east (where Sarah will study).
A view of downtown from the beach! We are situated on a peninsula and therefore are surrounded by water to the north, west, and south. The beach is 5-10 minutes away from our apartment.
For our last morning in Vancouver, we were privileged to see a black bear ambling through the backyard, looking for some berry snacks!
We also met up with some friends in Seattle:
SuJ'n & a delicious taco from the Tako Truk (thanks for the great recommendation!)
Driving back to Spokane, we stopped in Ellensburg to meet Saul for brunch at the Yellow Church Cafe.
Fun times had by all! Goodnight everybody!
Aug 9, 2009 | Posted by Joel + Sarah at 12:08 PM 1 comments Links to this post
Labels: anniversary, British Columbia, Canada, food, friends, photography, Seattle, summer, vacation, Vancouver, wedding
posted by Sarah
About 2 weeks ago, we had the opportunity to explore Oregon's Willamette Valley wine country, and also catch up with some old friends from college in Portland. It was a great vacation and reunion!
We ate dinner at Tina's, lauded by locals to be the best in the area and featuring organic fare and a grade-A wine list.
view from one of the wineries visited
The tasting room at Montinore winery - on a clear day you can see 3 (or was it 4?) distinct mountains including Mount St. Helens
We stayed at the Inn @ Northrup Station in Portland the next night - a very fun and ideally located boutique hotel.
The next day we parted ways with Joel's parents and met with our friends from college - the first time all of us were together in one place in four years!
The next day we had a late brunch at the Tin Shed which featured all you can drink coffee!
Later that day, we barbequed and lounged on the shores of the Columbia River at Kelley Point Park. Here's our group photo! I really think we haven't changed too much!
Aug 2, 2009 | Posted by Joel + Sarah at 4:29 PM 0 comments Links to this post
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