GONE 5 MONTHS...SO HAS MY BRAIN!!!!

I was taking out plates for dinner last night and took out 5...did the same thing the night before. So, my question is...why the heck would I do that 5 months after Colin has left? Certainly we've fallen into a routine as a family..we cook less, our water bill is less, we've made some changes to the basement decor, which was previously Colin's domain. But, I still check facebook and his blog many times a day starting right after breakfast in the hopes that I'll catch him live and be able to exchange a few words. Any contact with my boy is so precious!

Right now he's in Sri Lanka with Steve on a mini vacation. Yesterday he stayed in the sun too long with his lilly-white skin and is suffering as a result according to this blog. A Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in India overnight...of course I worry that uprisings will occur in Sri Lanka again as a spin-off. Out of sight is not out of mind in my case. I relish the fact that he can travel and really enjoy every minute of this year long experience, but I will never stop worrying! A mother's perogative I think. His year long trip reminds me so much of my stint with Canada World Youth in 1972-73...a life altering experience! I wish I could be a fly on his shoulder and take it all in for myself and not just get fleeting glimpses from photos on facebook. I will never stop missing my boy!

Our First Taste of Japan

Colin's Christmas parcel arrived late yesterday afternoon in record time! We were surprised thinking that he'd sent it by surface mail which would then arrive in Feb. It was only mailed last Monday! We waited until this morning to open it so that we'd all be able to take part in the ceremonial unveiling of items as the girls had a late school concert last night.

The girls received beautiful pencil cases which they promptly filled and took to school. I have the most gorgeous pair of blue chopsticks I've ever seen! And Garry received a cup with Japanese engraved on it. As well there was a very lovely flowered calendar, chocolate, toothpaste, chips and a bath soap and many pamphlets and newspapers to look at! What a thrill...Christmas in January! The newspaper is especially daunting...very small print everywhere...they waste no space! I'm looking forward to trying to decipher the very colourful magazine. As Claire said, 'we're basking in the glory of gifts from Japan today!' Thanks my boy!!