...said her husband

Well well well. I suppose this constitutes my first ever blog entry as a married man. Fancy that. I’ve gotta tell you though - it feels great. It’s kind of like one of those milestone birthdays like 16 or 19, where you get the pride that comes from driving a car or having your first legal drink, only better. See, with marriage, you actually get to be proud of something important, something bigger than you are – your new life with the one you love.

We really did get a fresh start here in Saskatoon. We managed to buy a house that suits our needs perfectly in the city with the fastest growing economy in Canada, and we did it in the midst of wedding planning. Try that on for size. We’ve got a cute little two-bedroom house with a giant backyard and brand new 2-car garage. It can be a little cramped in the house, so luckily we’ve got lots of space out back, where the bonfires continue, and where Bella can run as far as we can throw.

There have been a lot of changes this year. New city, new job. Unfortunately, we also had to find a new home for good old Caesar, our husky who helped us through a tough year in Cut Knife. A few aggressive incidents with him meant that it was time for Caesar to move on to a single-dog home, where he’d be happy as kingpin. But more about this another time; the memory of parting with my old friend has a throat-lump forming already.

I’m working at Nutana Collegiate Institute here in Toontown. It’s a school right in the heart of the beautiful Broadway area just off the river. The school is the oldest in the city, named after the town it first catered to in the early 1900’s. Now, the same old brick walls house a mishmash of walking modernity. Ipods and cell phones float from door to door like it’s the thing to do, attached securely to free thinkers and new-face vagabonds.

It’s a different kind of experience teaching there. The school is a little different in that it attracts a diaspora of students from every corner of the town, all seeking a comfortable place to exist from 9 to 3, a haven from the rest of town, or of life, in some cases. Trouble is, the students don’t always make it to school, much as one wishes they would. But as a former teacher from the school once told me, “It’s an important place to work.” Another wise one said simply, “Teach the ones who come.”

I’m settling in though, surely. And Carly and I are settling in to our new town as well. In Cut Knife, we had two options for what to do after school – take the dogs out, or drink wine. Now, we have a world of options at our disposal (but we haven’t forgotten wine). For instance, we live one block from 7-11! 7-11! It’s open 24 hours a day. Everything in Cut Knife closed at 5pm (if it were open at all that day). We’ve been spot-hopping from one trendy dance club to another, sampling some really good wines, hanging out at McNally Robinson bookstore and the library – enjoying married life to say the least.

A good old friend of mine and his wife recently moved up here too – Dave Aspinall. Dave and I have been best buds ever since he ran the 12 blocks home from my parents’ house in Grade 8 in the middle of a rainstorm with nothing but a garbage bag and a good-luck pat on the back. Now he and his wife Cesia live five minutes away from us. No doubt, double-dates have been frequent and fun.

Oh yes; there’s lots to keep us busy. Carly was dancing as a student again for a while, and now she’s taken up Yoga as her new niche, at a nice little place, again on Broadway Avenue (popular place). And me, well I’m finally training for boxing again. When my Moose Jaw coach called me on September 7th and told me I had to fight at 132 pounds on October 6th in Regina, I said, “Okay.” Then I stepped on the bathroom scale and watched it shoot up to 146 (great honeymoon food though). Needless to say, I was at the Hub City Boxing Club that night, working my tail off, literally. Well, three nights a week of that, and a few good runs has me at 138 pounds right now. Not bad, but I’ve got six more to go.

The Regina fight is a Saskatchewan vs. China event at the Casino – sure to be a top notch show. That weekend will also mark Carly’s brother David and his fiancé Megan’s wedding, the day after the fight. Not to mention, it’ll be Thanksgiving! Lots to look forward to – the weekend after is Boxing Provincials up here in S’toon.

Busy busy busy! We’ll keep ya posted.

- Khodi

Home Sweet Home

Well, we finally did it. We're finally in a city! Those of you who followed our roller-coaster-journey last year know how much we struggled and triumphed our way through "Life in the Knife." Now we're living our dream: we're married, we have a cute little house in Saskatoon, and we finally live within walking distance of a 7-11. I don't think Khodi could have survived without slurpees for another whole year!

Many of you know that Khodi's teaching at a high school in the city, and I am finding my way on to the sub list while also trying to find another job. In the meantime, I have my work cut out for me trying to set up our home. It's in pretty good condition, but it does need a bit of fixing up; paint and decorating would work wonders. Only a few days ago we bought new couches which I am thrilled about! You know, I find myself becoming excited about things like new couches, a good recipe, and stainless steel pots and pans. Does this mean I'm actually growing up? Let's hope so, because in only a few months I am going to be 25. I'm sure you will read all about my grief and sorrow when that haunting day approaches.

Another cool thing about living in a big city (besides, you know, other human existence) is that Khodi started boxing again and I started dancing again! Khodi already has a fight lined up in October so he's training for that and trying to cut weight. I start dance tonight as a student for once! I am so accustomed to being the dance teacher, I can't wait to just learn again. Tonight I have hip hop and tomorrow is tap. I hope all goes well.

Anyway, the real reason I am writing is because I am excited to announce that we have officially opened our new blog. If there was some kind of ribbon-cutting-ceremony that could be executed online, imagine that it is occuring right now.

Tada!

Stay "Tooned" for more reports from Toon Town.

- Carly

Recommended wine of the day: Langmeil's Long Valley Shiraz (Barossa Valley - Australia). 3.5 stars from Khodi and 4 from me.