I "love" the library...

"A library is a good place to go when you feel unhappy, for there, in a book, you may find encouragement and comfort. A library is a good place to go when you feel bewildered or undecided, for there, in a book, you may have your question answered. Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people---people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book." - E.B. White

If there's one thing I like particularly about being here in Canada---its their library. I know, this confession would prompt comments like, "The library? Big deal." I didn't realize this at first, until after a year of going to the library in Mill Bay.

One of my recent read.

When I was still in school, I was never fond of going to the library, unless it is really necessary. And I dislike the idea of spending countless hours, on a secluded corner, with a book in front of me. In no time, I will be nodding off, the book forgotten. Back then, I view going to the library as something closely related with schoolwork so it's not fun.

And where I come from, a public library is not one of the priority. The few that do exist are stocked with outdated materials and books. Besides, no one really go to this place. Reading is not a popular pastime.

So a few days after I arrived in Canada, my aunt took me to the downtown branch of the library in Nanaimo. I was amazed. I felt like I was a kid inside a toy store. That day I got my library card. I was in heaven. I marveled at all the books on the shelves.

There's something about books that makes me happy and content.

When I moved to Mill Bay, the first I did is check out the library. I was happy to know that it wasn't located far from where I'm going to stay. On my days off, I always go there. It has become one of my "happy place". Every time I step inside the library, it feels like I'm transported to another place. I like the smell of the books, especially the brand new ones. I have this crazy idea--- I'd spend a night in the library, then all the stories in the books will come to life. With one exception though, no scary stuff.

I've read a lot of good books for the past two years, thanks to the library. And the cool thing about it is I can read any book I like, without buying it ( except if I want my own copy ) For someone who thrive on reading,  like me, the library is a great thing. I don't have to go out and do stuff, to amuse myself. Besides, I am always content with a good book ( and a cup of coffee on the side ).

The library will always be one of my favorite place. And hopefully, for a very long time...

A walk that ( we'll do again )

On occasions that I go to Nanaimo, it's primarily to hang out with my sister and aunt, then of course, run. As always, my routines get out of whack. Stay up way past my normal bedtime and eat like crazy. But then, I'm cool with compromises as long it won't get out of hand.

So last Friday, for lack of something "interesting" to do, my sister and I agreed to go out for a walk. I already ran that morning but I'm still game for another outdoor jaunt. We armed ourselves with water bottles and brought along our mp3 players. We decided against taking Taco along because we're going on a new route, which was quite far.

We started at around 6 PM. The sun was still up and it was warm. I brought along my GF to measure the distance we will cover and the time it will take us. 

Boy, we're happy to see this. :-)

We talked about almost anything while keeping up the pace. The walk is also my way of testing my new shoes while walking because I usually just use it for running. It was doing alright so far. I told my sister about the roads where I run on and she told me, "Naabot ka diri og dagan." 

It was a relief when we finally get to the end of Departure Bay Road. We walked on the beach and stayed there for awhile. I took some photos and tried throwing pebbles on the water. I sat on a driftwood and stretched my legs. The sights reminded us of "home". After a few moment's rest, we went on our way.

Somehow reminds us of "home".

After more than 3 miles of walking, she's still game.

We encountered a steep incline and my legs started to act up. Yet, it wasn't that hard actually, because walking that uphill, my sister and I were laughing about something. An effective way to take our minds off from what we're doing.And we were mighty proud of ourselves when we got to the top. Our next goal was to get to McDonald's. I was already hungry at this time. ( Based from experience, I'm not myself when I'm hungry.)

Pit stop. A convenient ( though unhealthy ) way to justify our "walk".

I finished the chicken burger in record time. I'm that "hungry". 

After we had our fill, we continued on our walk. It started to get dark. I felt a bit of chill in the air. I zipped up my jacket and walked fast. The trail we were on was dark and was only partly illuminated by the lights of the passing cars on the highway. We were worried because we don't have any reflective material on our clothing or shoes to make us visible. We did not take this in consideration and we underestimate the time.

We're kind of scared on the trail so we tried to walk fast to beat the time.

In the end, we had to take the bus and ride in comfort. 

The trail felt like it was going forever and we were happy to get to the nearby bus stop. It was already past 9 PM and we don't like to take the risk of walking on unlit and deserted back roads. With only more than a mile left to our aunt's place, we took the bus home.

After 8 miles and more than 2 hours of walking, my legs were just about ready to give up. The bus ride home was a blur. My sister and I plodded toward the house, ready to drop.

The next day, she told me, I snored while asleep. I seldom does that, only when I'm so dead tired. I was still able to run the next morning. 

Anyway, I'm glad to get to spend some time with my sister. And it's cool that we now have this activity we can do together. Besides, it's an inexpensive way to chill and just hang out.