So after the quickest border crossing I've ever ever been a part of I am back in (amazingly) sunny Vancouver for a bit of the beautiful spring, before making a beeline in 10 days or so back to the USA, or more specifically to Portland, Oregon.
I feel like it's been ages since I blogged and there is SO much to tell.
ok
so I'm going to try bullet point form to firstly limit ramble, but also to try and cover everything I want to in a clear and concise fashion. Also, for those skim readers out there with a short attention span, you can get a quick overview.

1. This is a good book -
2. I really really like fruits. And I'm happy that strawberries are in season and cheap again. That and asparagus (i know that isn't a fruit, but you know what I mean)
3. I'm a little nervous to put the Neo flags counter up, I don't wanna be the lamer with only one little bouncy flag. Don't let me down peeps.
4. Oh yeah, I ate some peeps. You know americans, those little yellow sugar wrapped in sugar chicken things for easter? one word. yuck.
   
5. YWAM Seattle are really cool people and I had a really great time hanging out with them and getting to know them more. I'm hoping to go back for a visit with them with Philip when he comes to visit in June, because Seattle is also a super awesome groovy cool city that I'm looking forward to seeing in summer.
   
6. I just watched 'Sione's Wedding', a great Kiwi movie made by Oscar Kightley and the Naked Samoans. It was funny and sweet and oooooozing wtih Kiwiana, to the point I have to admit I got a little teary eyed. It's all shot in Auckland, and full of Samoan, Maori, Kiwi, Island goodness that makes me miss home and want to find some Islanders to hang out with. It's a different world that I can't even begin to explain, and even though I am unashamedly white and nerdy, I miss it. You should watch it. In fact, once I am done making these pies I am making, you can come over and watch it with me. Pies, pineapple lumps (I found them Jessa!) pavlova and Sione's wedding. Sigh!
7. So in our search for housing, it is looking like we might have something. all will be confirmed tomorrow. All 6 of us girls are waiting on hearing back from a landlord tomorrow morning on a large 3 bedroom house that we can share with a great kitchen, living area, deck and nice (i hope) bathroom. It was weird trusting the other girls to suss it out while Jessa and I were in Seattle, but here's hoping that it all works out. More info when we get it, but please pray for us!
8. I'm still coughing a little bit. But it's a lot better. Thanks for praying!
9. I love video editing. Except today I wanted to tweeeeek our promo video and I realised after doing my desktop tidy up I messed up a bunch of file paths that Premiere needed for my working copy. Urg. Lots of files in "offline" mode now. Mucho frustrating.
   
10. For those who didn't know already, I'm planning to do a lot more video/media stuff in the near future. More details when everything is official, but if anyone wants to join in with paying into the 'BUY HILLARY A WICKED AWESOME VIDEO CAMERA' just let me know.
    
    and.......DRUM ROLL PLEASE.....
    
    
11. I have just been informed by my dear friend Brett that TVNZ (the equivalent of CBC for you Canadians) has put Shortland Street on "TV on Demand" on their website. Now this may not be a big deal for most of you, but for a lil'ol'occaisionally-home-sick me, that is HUGE. I don't even like Shorty that much (ok who am I kidding, I really used to be addicted to it during university!!!) and now I can watch it whenever I want. "You're not in Guatemala now, Dr. Ropata" AMEN!
12. Oh yeah, and I did the personality test that Ralph did. Check it out, pretty colours.......
    
13. Oh and last but not least, check out these brilliant and beautiful websites. The first is an excellent source of free stock pictures, and the second is my new favourite grape website, where I can buy stuff from New Zealand for not too much, and a relatively cheap delivery fee. Dilmah tea and Gingernuts here I come!

Oh and just so you know I didn't forget.......

• Happy Birthday Sara
• Happy Birthday Philip
• Congratulations Amy and Luuk

Love you all soooo much
Hillary