All Was Not Lost...

I guess my last post was a little on the depressing side. And being that I like to maintain a "glass is half full" attitude, I figure I really should make note that while yes, my health did suck for quite some time, there were in fact many bright spots in my summer. It's quite amazing how my perspective can get lost and then be so easily found once my mood is under control! So, epic battle between me and Bipolar aside, here is my revised essay on What I Did On My Summer Vacation.

Undoubtedly the best thing this summer was spending lots of time with my niece and nephew. My brother found himself a great job that gives him weekends off and therefore much time to trek out to the city with my sister-in-law and the kids. Much time was spent at the beach chasing birds, picking up shells and searching for sea life of all sorts (unfortunately we were unable to find stingrays swimming close to shore, although this did not stop my nephew from persevering in his quest!). To me the best thing about meeting at the beach was the "big greet". Like a scene in a movie, as I walked towards the kids they would spot me and completely freak out, arms waving, madly running towards me and jumping into my arms. There is nothing like that kind of love to make you feel good! On top of our beach days together, I played super aunty and had the kids overnight (one at a time!!). Markus is an old pro but this was Katie's first sleepover here and she was fabulous. Highlights: making pancakes with Katie and taking Markus to a 3D Imax movie about sea creatures. Watching him with his big glasses, reaching out for the fish was priceless.

Another top highlight was a surprise visit from the Colonel and Shelley. You will remember that I met Al (the Colonel) and Shelley while in Mexico in March. What a fantastic treat to get a message from the Colonel one day saying they were in town. Well, when the Colonel calls, that's it! I called back, found out they were sitting at the Sandbar (literally across the water from me on Granville Island) and was thrilled to go and join them for a drink. These are two of the most wonderful people I have ever met...warm, fun, full of life. It was just wonderful to get to see them and I was touched that they made time in their short trip to B.C. to make a point of calling.

Also topping the highlight list was the Jack Johnson concert. My mom, brother and sister-in-law had planned to go together, but at the last minute Dave and Helga were unable to come. Mom and I went on without them, Loret even playing scalper to sell the extra two tickets!! (I was so impressed...she was quite the shark!) So she and I took in this AMAZING concert on a beautiful night at UBC. What can I say...I love a man with a guitar. Especially a hot man life Jack. Sigh.

Other highlights include pigging out at the PNE; catching all the amazing fireworks displays; getting in my fair share of time at the beach and thus maintaining a lovely sunkissed glow; having a wonderfully long visit and catch up with my granny, who I had neglected to see for much too long while feeling like crap, despite the fact that she just lives over the bridge in North Vancouver; seeing our friends Justin and Lisa who live in Toronto (but have come to their senses and are soon to be moving back!!!); starting to run again (slowly but surely); and most importantly, starting to wake up every morning feeling like a human being, with a life and everything in me!!! I am sure I am probably forgetting something at the moment, but you get the point...all was not lost on my summer vacation. In fact, it actually looks pretty good, doesn't it?