Jen and I have built a separate new site for our wedding. Visit us at jen-eric.ca!

Jen and I designed our wedding centerpieces this weekend. This is the prototype!

Upon returning to Canada, I went first to visit my oldest friend Greg in Vancouver. He picked me up from the airport, and - pretty high on lack of sleep - we bummed around Vancouver for a bit until I finally collapsed on the sofa. The next morning we went to International House of Pancakes, which was very international: every waitress was from a different cultural background. I was pretty happy about that, it was a very homey feeling. It was also the first big reminder to me of how huge portions are in this country, and how we are really no better than Japan for offering few if any vegetarian options (I mean, sure, I like meat as much as the next guy, but when I order an omelette I think "eggs" first, not "bacon" or "ham" or "roast beef").

I'll write shortly, probably tomorrow, about this month in Canada. I just have to get it off my chest: I just learned from Daniel that one of my 2nd year students at Nichu has died of a heart attack. He can't have been older than 14. I don't even know who it was yet, all I can think about is all the kids I taught, who I watched play, and that one of them isn't playing anymore.

I'm pretty upset, and I imagine all of Nichu is as well. Happier news tomorrow I hope.