Year in Review 2007

January
Started off pretty great, with 3 separate birthday celebrations for turning 25. Sold my car of 6 years in preparation for going on exchange. A little crisis of confidence starting off the school year as I prepared for the moot competition.

February
The cracks of the relationship became gaping holes, and everything came with a sunset clause. Competition in Ottawa went pretty well, and exchange was confirmed.

March
A little personal victory for the Elimination of Discrimination campaign I did on campus. The relationship continued to fracture, and the lack of summer job situation compounded the misery.

April
Crazy exam month. Moved back to Scarborough. Succumbed to facebook. Took stock of my life a little. Couldn’t wait to go aboard.

May
A geriatric type of life, helping out in the yard, planting, as if recuperating and rehabilitating. Which it kind of was, but the scars were all emotional. Watched all the episodes of Lost from the beginning for the first time. Attended a high school reunion.

June
Went on CQ, then off to camp. Had serious doubts about staying in the system, the summer, etc.

July
In Cold Lake, where all things are possible/gets skewed. Spent 3 weeks convincing myself not to get involved with an old flame, and when it came down to it, took all of 3 seconds to change my mind. Was really excited about articling prospects. Among many friends at camp.

August
Left camp early for a bunch of interviews, but was devastated when I didn’t get a single offer. Did some fun stuff and generally tried to prep for England. Struggled over whether I wanted to see the ex (J). Foolishly hopeful for whatever was going on with R.

September
Left a little out of place to not be starting school at the beginning of the month. Took an ill-advised trip to Calgary. Actually, no one advised me to go, so it was just my own decision to be faulted. Off to the UK excited and excited. So amused by every little thing British.

October
Orientations, starting classes, experiencing London. The ‘relationship’ came crashing down when I couldn’t decide who to trust. Went to Scotland and just totally fell in love with Edinburgh.

November
Madrid and Lincoln trips. School was happily chugging along. Probably the happiest I’ve been in quite a while.

December
Already nostalgic before I even left the UK. A weekend in Paris, a weekend in London. Coming home to a snow-covered wonderland after spending 3 months away.

My mom made us count our blessings, literally, at dinner tonight. I think the year had a bumpy start, but ended on a high note with my months aboard. Know that I’m grateful for you, and all your encouraging/entertaining/eccentric comments and insights. It keeps me going. Here’s to a fantastic 2008!

One More Day

What a difference a day makes! =P

I made this!

I do love winter! And snow, and Christmas, and being home! The euphoria will run out soon, I'm sure, but not just yet! +)

last day

Here I sit, surrounded by a somewhat controlled mess, hoping that the postal deity will let me ship a box home tomorrow, because it is just not all going to fit. You know the bag you buy at the Canex at the end of camp to bring home everything you have somehow accumulated in 8 short weeks? Well, I've been away for 12 weeks, and I'm a lot more high maintenance then I used to be. Plus international shipping isn't going to be cheap. So yeah, I hope everything will work out tomorrow, including exchanging my train ticket, which inexplicably says Dec 18, even though I am fairly certain that I asked for Dec 14 about 3 weeks ago. Ah, the joys and tribulations of traveling will soon be lifted from my weary shoulders, and not a moment too soon.

I made a spreadsheet to see what items will be deniable at customs, in order to make it around the limit of $750. Well, everything with a city name on it is going to be hard to get around. Sold one of my textbooks that I will surely never look at again (at least not by choice). Unfortunately I'm a horder, so there are scrapes of paper that are just too sentimental for me to throw out.

I am slowly coming to accept that this idyllic term of high adventures and freedom from reality is coming to an end. One last hurrah in London tomorrow and Sat. Flying home Sunday.

I already miss this life.

Two Weeks Left

I can't believe I'm going home in two weeks. I feel like I have just hit my stride; familiar faces, a set routine, going over to friends' house for dinner, all the normal things you associate with shedding the foreigner's skin. Just as I am greeted with friendly faces on campus, have a decent grasp of the bus route schedules, and really starting to feel that I like this place, I'll be packing my bags in a matter of days.

They told us at orientation that 3 months is going to feel very short, and there were times I doubted that in these past weeks. But with all the traveling and school and everything, there wasn't time to miss home, really. Plus with the nonsense and drama, why would I want to go face that?

I've never been cool enough to have a set table with a group of friends to sit at for every meal. I haven't feel this good about life since 3rd year at Mac.


Upside down
Who's to say what's impossible and can't be found
I don't want this feeling to go away
~ Jack Johnson