The Arrival

Heading to school this AM.

We live on a hill with clear views of 

Cauyga Lake and Cornell University.

We pulled into our rental house 1 week ago today. I haven't been able to blog due to no internet hookup in our home. After several frustrating attempts with Time Warner, we finally have internet and cable (but no tv, as our stuff will not arrive until Thursday).

It is hard to feel settled without any of our familiar belongings. We are living in a house quite a bit smaller from the large comfortable townhouse we had in Port Moody. But, we all seem to have adapted to the change. Our church was kind enough to furnish us with a table and some metal fold out chairs. We also have air mattresses so we don't need to sleep on the floor.

Our kitchen was also FILLED with food. People have been dropping off food and other stuff since we've been here. Someone even dropped off a bunch of brand new toys for the kids. For the first week we have had to survive deprived of internet and television, which is actually possible.

From Thursday-Monday we were at the church everyday (including the kids). Several different meetings and official welcomes to the church. We have connected with quite a few people by now. There are several young families who are really cool and very committed to their faith.

We are also getting oriented to the town of Ithaca. Ithaca is significantly smaller than Vancouver. Vancouver was 2 million, Ithaca is only about 100 000. There are also several cultural differences. Vancouver was very multi-cultural. Ithaca is largely white, with the exception of international students, scholars and faculty at Cornell.

Cornell is a story unto itself. Cornell is a member of the exclusive Ivy League - 8 academic institutions in the North Eastern United States, that carry a reputation of academic excellence and exclusivity. All of these schools are extremely difficult to get into, and are considered some of the best, not only in the States, but in the world. Cornell's acceptance rate for undergrads is only 16%, meaning out of 38 000 applicants, only 6000 were admitted.

What is interesting is that the church I have joined as an associate pastor has a very strong connection with this famed institution. Several faculty, staff and students attend, including some people holding very high administrative positions. Consequently, I am quite nervous about the first time I will have to preach!

We seem to be adjusting well to the big change. But, not having our stuff is making it very difficult to feel settled. I have made it to the office yesterday and today, but for very short spurts, as there always seems something domestic that needs to be done.

The kids will start at their new school on thursday. It seems like quite a good school, boasting a full time nurse, speech therapist and a cafeteria that provides hot lunches. Several of the church family's children attend the school.

Not sure when I'll blog again, but its been fun charting out our journey from Port Moody to Ithaca. It will be interesting to see where our journey within Ithaca will take us.