I am now in southern British Columbia. It is really different here from the East (Ontario/Toronto). The weather is milder, January was warm, though it tends to rain a lot. But I prefer that over the snow we battle every winter in the East. My university (SFU) is on its own mountain and the view of the surrounding hills and valleys is spectacular. The school year (08-09) is winding down. I cannot believe it went by so fast. Now I must gear up for the summer and prioritize my various commitments. Continuing with my French studies is one of them; likewise, further research on the abolitionist movement. I have two new books coming out in Sept. o9, and these are published my Kidscan Press. The books are The Young Phillis Wheatley and the Young Henry Bibb. These are historical novels for the young adult audience and they tell the (fictionalized) story of both Wheatley and Bibb as children. It was wonderful writing these books. Let me add they are based on historical facts, more or less. This is my first published foray into fiction so it was quite interesting writing them (wearing both my scholarly and creative writing hats). You may order these books from Kidscan. Just go to their website to do so.

Also, I have a new exhibit which is part of my Ruth Wynn Woodward Chair's initiative. This exhibit is called Black Communities in British Columbia, 1858-2008 and it commemorates the 150th anniversary of the Black presence in BC. Really, it is about teaching Black history with photographs as I have used some really neat photos of 19th century African Canadians in various contexts. I have also used visual images of modern Black people. Go and see this exhibit. It is at the Teck Gallery at the Harbour Centre in downtown Vancouver. The exhibit is up until 10 May 2009. Talk to you soon. A bientot.