All my life I never win anything for free. Once in a while my computer or my mobile will mockingly claim that I've won some money or some car. I expect my only offspring would probably have no such luck either. So I thought. My jaw dropped to the floor when I learned that my only daughter Dena who lives in Vancouver won a car! I thought she pulled a prank or something. If you know her you know what I mean. But it's true! For real! Dena you are one Lucky girl. Literally and figuratively, if you know what I mean.
Vancouver. May 2016. I was walking down west 4th avenue in Kitsilano admiring adorable little shops and small cafe when I saw a baby crawl out from a clothing store to a one and a half meter wide sidewalk! I thought I was hallucinating. She almost reached the edge of the sidewalk before her mom casually stepped out of the store and picked him up.
Vancouver. May 2016. I was eating my cranberry walnut salad outside in an eating area near a supermarket on west 4th avenue when a young woman approached me and said, "Do you mind watching my dog? I just need to get some juice!" When I said yes she tied her dog to a post in front of me. "I don't want her to get your food," she said nicely and apologetically. The minute she walked in the supermarket the dog started barking and making loud whiny sound. I was still eating my salad when a guy came up to the dog, gave her a pat on her back and said, "There, there! You be all right," and gave me a what-were-you-thinking-look. "It's not my dog and this salad is so good!" I said defensively. He left right away without uttering any word.
Vancouver. May 2016. Waiting for the green light at 10th Ave & Cambie. Both are bike lanes. Road dedicated to cyclist! How awesome is that? "Hey your backpack is opened," a lady cyclist startled me. I was about to undo my cleat before reaching to my backpack, without missing a beat she said, "Here let me help you." She came closer with her bike to me and zipped my back. When was the last time a stranger put a smile on you? When was the last time I put a smile on a stranger's face?
To be able to do what you love and love what you do. To be able to be true to who you are. To be able to find joy in the simplest things. To be able to see good in others. To be able to put yourself in others' shoes. To be able to laugh everyday in good company. I envy you Dena. Curiosity doesn't kill the cat, the cat has 9 lives because of its curiosity.
North Shore Triathlon. I was packing up my stuff in a transition area when I noticed a lady next to me took some pictures with her phone. I offered her assistance, "You want me to take picture of you and your bike?" "Oh no, thank you," she replied cheerfuly, "This is my girlfriend's spot and look how messy it is. Her stuff is all over the place. Just like at home. I'm showing this to everyone." She laughed. I offered her consolation, "Well at least she is being consistent. You have to give her credit for that." LOL
One cloudy and cold Monday Morning. North Shore Triathlon. As I was approaching the finish line a male announcer said over a loudspeaker, "And here comes another finisher. Let's welcome this young lady, number 382.... Dewi!" I ran even faster to the finish line with my hands up in the air. Not so much because I made it to the finish line but more because I was a young lady for a second. LOL. And then to top it off he continued, "... from Jakarta! She came all the way from Indonesia for this triathlon!" Woohoo! \(^_^)/
One lovely cloudy and windy Thursday afternoon. I was admiring Human Structures Vancouver, a galvanised steel sculpture by Jonathan Borofsky, in Hinge Park when this brown retriever dog came up to me, dropped a ball from its mouth in front of me and just sat there looking at me with his tongue out, gleaming eyes, and wagging tail. Oh Joy!
One lovely cold Wednesday night. Over dinner I told Dena that bad things in life are unavoidable (and yes even people you love is capable of causing you pain). What people say about you or how people treat you are out of your control. The only thing in life that is in your control is how you react to bad circumstances. Bitter or Better? Later after we said goodbye and went our separate ways I found out that my bike's front light was stolen! God has a wicked sense of humour. I laughed out loud. Lesson learned indeed.
I've only been here for two weeks and I've had strangers converse with me more than I've had back home for a whole month. A sweet elderly man when I run, a guy in Starbuck, a young boy and girl in a park, a female swimmer in Hillcrest Aquatic Center, a very tall guy on a sidewalk, a classy lady and her daughter in an elevator, a man in a book store, an older man at a stop sign, a cyclist guy on a bike path, a lady and her dog in Granville and a middle age woman in a movie theatre. Vancouver. Connecting people.
