HALIFAX, PART II

Last night I attended my first Halifax Mooseheads (Quebec Major Junior Hockey League) game. The home team won, with one of the top prospects for next year's draft breaking a 2-2 tie with six seconds left. Talk about exciting! I was reminded of how much better it is to be at a game rather than watch it on TV. I was also reminded of how much of a hockey town Halifax is, something I've observed quite a bit since moving here. I knew the city did a great job of hosting the world junior championships in 2002-03, but even without an NHL team here (the team of choice is a wide spread- Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, even Pittsburgh), people here love talking hockey. I hear bits and pieces of conversations about players or teams as I'm walking in the streets or on campus. It's great being in a hockey town.

I've noted other things about this city since I've moved here, some of which I already mentioned. Here are some other random observations of Halifax:

-I've come across many people who ask for money/change in the streets. Not just people who sit with signs, but actual panhandler-type people. It's not an annoyance, but it really throws me off sometimes. A few times I have given them change, and then afterwards wonder what I may have done, and other times I move on. I often find myself thinking, "if I were Jesus, I would look past their surface requests, see their real needs, and seek to cure the root of their problems". But this happens well after the encounter. Anyway, I've noticed that there seem to be more panhandlers here than what I'm used to.

-If you want to park your car in the streets, don't involve yourself in an activity that will last more than two hours. You can get a ticket. And, don't park your car facing the opposite direction of the oncoming traffic lane.

-Late at night, many of the city's major intersections become four-way stops, rather than regular traffic lights. I personally think that this is a genius idea.

-There is a comprehensive city-wide waste disposal system, complete with taking care of compost. Garbage one week, compost the other, recycling every week. I have yet to get this schedule nailed down.

-Prices for certain groceries are way higher than Ontario. I think the one that has thrown me off the most is milk: close to seven dollars for four litres. Yikes.

-There are a lot of dead people that live in this city. By that, I mean that there are several prominent cemeteries. There are a few graveyards that take up a city block. You have to keep in mind that many of the shipwrecks at sea brought the dead to Halifax, because it was the closest Atlantic port. The strong military presence also means lots of armed forces members are buried here. And, the fact that it is one of Canada's oldest cities means that people have been living (and dying) here for a long time. As a history guy, I kind of think it's neat being in such an old city.

-Birds aren't afraid of people. Namely, pigeons and crows. It's kind of annoying, because you can practically step on them...they just don't get out of the way! But, I guess it's cool for people who sit on benches in city parks (there are a few nice parks here) with bread crusts.

I have yet to see a police officer on a horse! I'm really hoping for that. It's getting colder here, but we still haven't had snow like some of the other parts of the country. Still, lots of precipitation. It tends to be that way when you're by the ocean. But I love it. Halifax is a great city. You should seriously come check it out if you never have in your life.

Other random comments:

I really enjoy Kraft's Sundried Tomato and Oregano salad dressing.

Joe Cocker is incredibly underrated.

I rearranged some of the furniture in my place, but nothing too drastic.

My graduation ceremony will be November 4.

SOMETHING IN THE AIR...

This may seem really weird, but I came up with a list of favourite smells. That's right, certain things that I smell that I appreciate! Seriously! I think the fact that I love the smell of the crisp air in autumn so much is what has caused me to think a lot about this.

They say that scent is often the sense that is most associated with memory. I think that may be the case with some of these favourite smells of mine.

(in no particular order)

-My House: Okay, that's kind of easy. I think most people's houses have their own distinct smell, and most people happen to like theirs the best.

-Topps 1987 Baseball Cards: I highly doubt anyone else shares this one with me. But believe me, they smell good, different than most of the Topps sets of the 1980s.

-Vancouver International Airport: Whenever I've been there, there has always been a huge sense of anticipation and excitement. Even the time when I first flew out to OEX 2005 and I was stranded by myself for a good hour and a half.

-Any of the Washrooms at Parkdale Baptist Church: Okay, moreso the soaps in those washrooms. But there's just some sort of magic in the facilities at my home church in Belleville (am I weird?).

-Barbeques: Mmmm...the smell of summer. The smell of meat on the grill. Priceless.

-The Mango-Papaya Air Freshener that Aaron had in His Room: Smells sooo good. I went out and bought one for my place here in Halifax. It gives me a small taste (smell) of 1139-D.

-Fresh-Cut Grass: Whether it's a lawn, a golf course, or a baseball field, I absolutely love the smell of recently-mowed grass. Such a summer smell.

-The Camping Aisle at Canadian Tire Belleville: For whatever reason, this aisle always smelled like chemicals...but they smelled really good. I looked for excuses to walk down it when I worked there just so I could smell as much of it as possible. I'm serious.

-The Stairs Leading up to the Warehouse at Canadian Tire Belleville: Haha...it totally smelled like intense amounts of cardboard.

-Wet Pavement: You know when it's just rained, or it is raining, and you're standing in a parking lot or driveway? The pavement smells different...I think I most closely associate it with springtime.

-Cabin #3 at Pineridge Resort: My family's cottage. It smells pine-fresh.

-Clementines: Mmmm...so good. Always reminds me of Christmas time, or winter in general.

-Gasoline: It's not like I have an addiction or anything, so this is no need for concern. But you know when you're pumping gas at the gas station and you can just smell it? Well, how could you not, it's really strong. But it smells....good. At least I think so.

-Anything My Mom Cooks/Bakes: Self-explanatory.

-The Crisp Autumn Air: Ah yes, the inspiration for this post. It's just so crisp, I really can't describe it otherwise. The scent combined with the beauty of the colours that I see all around me really makes for something special.

And thus, I give you some of my favourite smells. Feel free to comment on mine, or let me know what some of your favourites are!

REST

This weekend allowed me to take it easy. I really didn't do a whole lot in terms of exciting things with people and places- I was supposed to go on a hike at Cape Split in the Annapolis Valley but in the end I didn't go...I will go sometime soon, I really do want to see it, because it's apparently sweet scenery, especially this time of year. I checked out another different church here today with some friends from C4C. We had a sweet breakfast special afterwards.

After we parted ways in the early afternoon, I ran a few errands and was heading back towards home when I decided to cut through the Dalhousie campus. I guess I really felt that it was another opportunity to pray for the campus, and what better way to have my vision increased than by being on the campus itself? I reached the west end of the Dal campus, where all the beautiful old buildings are, and found a bench partly in the shade, but still in a spot that was good enough to feel the sun on me. I hadn't even thought about sitting down or staying there for a while when I first started walking home, but decided to sit down to collect my thoughts.

For the next half hour or so, I was able to simply rest, to bask in the goodness of God. It was a glorious autumn afternoon. The air was incredibly crisp, the breeze was gentle, and leaves fell freely to the ground. I flipped open my Bible and meditated a bit on some of the things I've been reading lately, and then also meditated on a piece of the sermon from this morning that emphasized how God has revealed Himself to us: through His creation, through the Word, and through the Son, Jesus Christ.

As I contemplated each of these, I realized that I was delighting in each one: enjoying the beauty of His creation- seeing His handiwork on display all around me, spending time in the Word, and simply praising Him for allowing me to have the relationship with Him through the Son. It was definitely the highlight of my day, such a precious piece of time where I was able to quietly bask in His goodness.

Although this post sort of gives the impression that I'm talking about all that I saw and did, those moments and the day was definitely all about Him.

FOR ALL YOU OEXers OUT THERE

So I have a bunch of books on the go right now, and for one of them, the bookmark I'm using happens to be a random piece of paper that I found in my clipboard. Turns out it's from OEX debrief, where a certain song was performed by Kolten and I for the rest of the group to enjoy. Here then, is the song in its entirety (I don't think we had a title for it):

Sung to the tune of "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)" by GreenDay


Another turning point, a chopstick in the road
God grabs you by the heart, directs you where to go
So make the best of this life and don't ask why
We're in this world, but walk by faith and not by sight

He's often unpredictable, but His plan is always right
Let's glorify our God with our lives

So take the memories of five weeks just gone by
With all the things you've learned, now go and multiply
And pray that East Asia would one day be the best
At sending from its nation to all of the rest

He works in ways we cannot see, He's pure and holy light
Let's glorify our God with our lives

(instrumental...Adam on guitar, me attempting to make violin sounds)

One day every knee will bow at the sound of Jesus' name
For us to live is Him, to die will be our gain
Go ye thereforth and tell the world about the Son
He's always with us, so what challenge can't be won

He's always there to lead us on, He's with us day or night
Let's glorify our God with our lives

Father, Son and Spirit, our Treasure and our Prize
We'll glorify our God with our lives


I must say it was a lot of fun sitting down and writing out those songs. If I ever come across the lyrics to the one we did at OEX orientation, I'll be sure to put them up too. I vaguely recall the words but not all of them.

HELP US TO BE TRULY THANKFUL...

This weekend will mark the first time in my life that I won't be home for Thanksgiving. It is sad in some ways to miss out on spending time with the ones I love, but at the same time, it would be an unthankful spirit on my part to dwell on feelings of loneliness and seperation. It's pretty hard to choose not to thank God for all that He has done in my life. I always like to use holidays or specific dates in the year where I can guage where I was at during that time in the previous year. It's always cool to reminisce where I was at and how much God has, by His grace, allowed me to grow. Especially in this past year, I have much to be thankful for. Seeing how He has provided for me, time and again. Seeing how He carried me through certain struggles. Yes, there are still some fears and doubts, but I can be thankful for His sovereignty and His grace.

This weekend, I choose to be thankful. How could I not?

Psalm 136:1- "Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever."

Amen.

HALIFAX

So I'm approaching the one-month anniversary of living here in Halifax. I must say that my initial impressions of the city were favourable- it reminded me very much of Ottawa, where I went to school. Over the span of a month, I have fallen in love with this city, and its people.

Halifax is a city that has experienced tragedy in the past and is therefore always ready to help others in need. It has a strong spiritual heritage, and I like to think of it as a sleeping giant that is ready to be wakened in order to become a sending ground to the rest of the Maritimes, the rest of Canada, and yes, even the rest of the world. Something big is going to happen here- it's only a matter of time.

There is also something really special about being right by the ocean. Yes, it means lots of fog at certain times of the day, as well as changes in the weather on short notice, but I love being by the ocean. And maybe it's that salt water air that causes the people here to be so laid-back, so open, so welcoming, so friendly. You could almost describe Haligonians (yeah, that's what you call a native of Halifax...pretty cool eh?) as being "folksy". Pretty much everyone I pass on the streets to and from campus or around town give a nod or a hello, or even a "g'day". The pace of life is a lot slower than Ontario, but there seems to be a contentment. A lot of students that I talk to who are from the area have no burning desire to move away to other parts of the world. Are they being complacent? Not at all. They enjoy where God has placed them and would be perfectly satisfied to stay here for the rest of their lives.

I must say: I love it here.

Halifax is also home of many Canadian firsts (this is me putting my history degree to good use here):

-Canada's first protestant church
-first post office
-oldest residential government house
-oldest naval dockyard

Halifax also has the highest ratio of educational facilities to population in North America with its six universities and approximately 30, 000 students.

Here, then, are some other interesting tidbits about the city, or other characteristics.

1- Pedestrians totally dominate the roads here. Seriously. It's mind-boggling. Even in downtown or the busiest of streets, people can walk right out in front of cars as though it's nothing. And the cars slow down and calmly stop, no honking of horn. If anything, the aggressive pedestrian gets a wave. It's beyond me. I've been in the car with Kelley a few times and she's almost nailed a pedestrian or two (and in no way am I suggesting that Kelley is a bad driver, she's great) because they randomly stepped out expecting her to notice them. I'm still getting used to this one.

2- I have seen city policemen on bicycles. Bicycles! I can see a cop successfully chasing a dude on his motorbike, but how the stink do you enforce the law from a bicycle?! And apparently there are cops on horses too, though I have yet to see this. It makes sense to me, since the RCMP is the provincial police force here.

3- It's very much a student town. Okay, I guess I sort of hinted at that with the stat about student/population ratio. But a lot of things here are student-oriented.

4- There are jokes about the smaller nearby town (in this case, Dartmouth), not unlike Toronto-Mississauga, Peterborough-Lindsay, Belleville-Trenton.

5- I would get into all my observations about life at Dal and SMU but maybe I should save that for a seperate post. Yeah, I think I will.

So that's all for now. I'll catch you later. For now, don't begrudge the fog. Wish instead that you were as free as it is.

Spoken like a true Haligonian.