Montreal Lately

What a grand adventure we have been having here in Montreal. A grand adventure in deed. Our days have been packed full with apartment and car hunting while trips to the park and the swimming pool have been added to maintain family togetherness and cooperation. The kids have eaten more Peanut Butter and Banana sandwiches than I could ever quantify as we are usually in route to another apartment when lunch time rolls around. The kids have been troopers and have enjoyed all these new places to explore, but I think we are all ready to find a place and move on in!

So we did find a place; it wasn't perfect, but the location was fantastic and the apartment was clean. We'll try to forget the tiny little rooms, but with a shared yard, garage and a park down the street we were pretty content...until the land lady called us to tell us the place was sold and the new owner would be living in it (we were supposed to be moving in in 2 days).

We found a great vehicle and joked about how weird it is to own a vehicle seeing that neither of us have had one in over 5 years and that we keep forgetting that we even have one - until we got a parking ticket within a few hours of having the vehicle - feels pretty legit now. Note to self: pay close attention to the street signs for when it is okay to park where - they are different EVERYWHERE.

Otherwise, someone has tried to pick pocket me - twice. We were far too trusting and are now minus a large sum of money. And I'm pretty sure that our downstairs neighbours are nocturnal and like to entertain guests from 11pm onwards every night.

The funny thing is; I still love Montreal. No views have been tainted of this beautiful city. While things have been frustrating I feel oddly optimistic. A 'no' merely opens the possibilities for many other great options. And every time I find myself getting frustrated I remember all the things that are really great. The things that make me open my eyes a little wider and smile inside. Like when I go for a run past the several parks and playgrounds where the leaves are just beginning to change into bright autumn colours. Or when I play with the kids at the playground that I never knew they could love so much, the playground that is clean, the playground that is so wonderfully diverse with children. Or when we walk down streets lined with large, mature trees and brick buildings. Or are serenaded in our grocery store with live italian opera. Or the fact there are musical swings in the middle of downtown. Or all the museums and the Botanical Gardens. Or that they have cleanest Metro I have yet to be on. Or the views of the river.

Or that our kids have become fish right before our eyes at the beautiful swimming pool that offers swim time free to residents. Or that I get to see my children's eyes sparkle as they talk about their new friends in the neighbourhood and at church and how they speak french and they think that is beyond fascinating. Or how both kids have really adapted and grown so well with this change; I am so very impressed and proud of them. Or, my absolute favourite, getting to take the children to the "small" library and taking them to the children's room and when they ask "Mommy, which shelf has books for us?" and getting to tell them "ALL of them". Oh man, I nearly cried at that last one. I wish I could describe the happiness on their face at that library when they learned that all the books were children's books in English or French. After devouring every book on the little 'new arrivals' shelf I think the kids felt overwhelmed by the rows and rows still available so they picked out books and chairs and got started at flipping through the pages. It's funny, I always thought the library we had in Bremen was quite lovely with a great kids' area, but despite us always reading books in German to the kids they always preferred English books (despite the very limited selection of one little box) and just enjoyed the library for the great play areas and singing time there. And now they seem quite excited about french and english books so it's been fun.

I could go on, but the hour is getting late and I am not sure how sensical any of this has actually been. And, really, at the end of the day it's all just extra to the fact that we are here all together, healthy, happy and making the most of it. We have had some unexpected turns, but we are trying to make the most of them and keep smiling. There are so many good things all around us there is no sense in letting a few bad things spoil the rest. And besides, those noisy neighbours just seem to be helping us all learn to sleep a little bit sounder. Being positive. Being grateful. Enjoying the moment. And looking forward.