This post is probably a couple of weeks late in coming, but I figured I should tie all loose ends together here, for my own sake, if not for anyone else's.
I've been back in Canada for three weeks and for the most part it's great to be home. I've done lots of Canadian things, like eating dinner at a curling club and drinking bad wine, or watching a hockey game and complaining about the weather.
Truth be told, the weather isn't really bugging me much at all. Vancouver did feel awfully chilly the first few days but thankfully my friend Meika had the warmest, awesomest duvet on the bed in her spare room. Now that I'm back home in Saskatchewan I've adopted the mindset of the locals regarding weather: 0 degrees is a warm day in March. But seriously, spring is most definitely coming to Regina. The snow is melting, the sun is shining, and the sparrows are making themselves known again.
Thanks to everyone who took the time to read my blog over the past year. I've started to really enjoy this whole blogging thing and might just start up another blog now that I'm home. I'll keep you posted on that once it's all set up and ready to go.
Long live Canada!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
All roads lead to Bondi
Today is a pretty strange day for me. I woke up knowing it was my last full day in Australia but it still hasn't truly hit me that this amazing year is coming to an end. It won't really be real until I'm on that airplane tomorrow afternoon. How can a full year have passed?
The past few weeks have been full of mixed emotions as I get ready to go back home. There have been long, pleasant days spent at the beach and there've been cool, rainy days spent contemplating my options in Canada over a cup of coffee. As it stands, I'm heading back to Saskatchewan for at least the next six months. And I'm OK with that. It's been years since I've spent more than a few weeks at a time in my home province and I miss the place. Spring is just around the corner and it's pure magic when the snow begins to melt on the Prairies.
It was cloudy when I got up today and I spent most of the morning packing and trying to get organized. (Note: trying to put all of your personal belongings into one large duffel bag after a year abroad is not a fun task.) Then suddenly the sun came out after lunch and I knew there was something I just had to do. I grabbed my towel and my Mp3 player and jumped on the bus to Bondi Beach.
Bondi was the first beach I visited in Australia and now it's also the last (for now). As the bus rolled through various neighbourhoods I was struck once again by Sydney's diversity. Sydney is beautiful beaches, charming buildings, winding leafy streets, a gorgeous harbour, and a relaxed (yet gigantic) seaside town. It's also gleaming ugly office towers, hustle bustle, and occasionally rather ordinary. Just when you think you understand Sydney it throws another curve ball at you. And that's what makes you love the place all the more.
The bus ended up taking me to a part of Bondi that I'd never been to before. Strolling down a sidestreet to the beach, I felt as though I was in some sleepy town, not in a city of 4.5 million people. So this is why people love living in Bondi so much. Granted, Bondi does not always reflect the reality of living in Australia. But it's certainly a big part of what lures people to the island continent's shores. One dip in the waters, and you're hooked.
Before I left the beach I took my final swim in Bondi's blue waters and soaked up a few more rays. There's just no way I'm going home without that killer tan.
See ya soon, my fellow Canucks.
The past few weeks have been full of mixed emotions as I get ready to go back home. There have been long, pleasant days spent at the beach and there've been cool, rainy days spent contemplating my options in Canada over a cup of coffee. As it stands, I'm heading back to Saskatchewan for at least the next six months. And I'm OK with that. It's been years since I've spent more than a few weeks at a time in my home province and I miss the place. Spring is just around the corner and it's pure magic when the snow begins to melt on the Prairies.
It was cloudy when I got up today and I spent most of the morning packing and trying to get organized. (Note: trying to put all of your personal belongings into one large duffel bag after a year abroad is not a fun task.) Then suddenly the sun came out after lunch and I knew there was something I just had to do. I grabbed my towel and my Mp3 player and jumped on the bus to Bondi Beach.
Bondi was the first beach I visited in Australia and now it's also the last (for now). As the bus rolled through various neighbourhoods I was struck once again by Sydney's diversity. Sydney is beautiful beaches, charming buildings, winding leafy streets, a gorgeous harbour, and a relaxed (yet gigantic) seaside town. It's also gleaming ugly office towers, hustle bustle, and occasionally rather ordinary. Just when you think you understand Sydney it throws another curve ball at you. And that's what makes you love the place all the more.
The bus ended up taking me to a part of Bondi that I'd never been to before. Strolling down a sidestreet to the beach, I felt as though I was in some sleepy town, not in a city of 4.5 million people. So this is why people love living in Bondi so much. Granted, Bondi does not always reflect the reality of living in Australia. But it's certainly a big part of what lures people to the island continent's shores. One dip in the waters, and you're hooked.
Before I left the beach I took my final swim in Bondi's blue waters and soaked up a few more rays. There's just no way I'm going home without that killer tan.
See ya soon, my fellow Canucks.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
The countdown
It's a big no-no in journalism circles to start any piece of writing with a cliche. But I've done it before and I'll do it again. Bloody rules be damned.
And so: all good things must come to an end. How's that for insight?
I'm referring, of course, to my time in the Land Down Under. In just 12 more days I'll be jumping on an airplane to Fiji. Three days after that I'll board another plane for Vancouver. Then 14 hours later I'll find myself back in the homeland: Vive le Canada.
I have very mixed feelings about leaving Australia and going back home. I have to admit I've fallen in love with Sydney. It's the most beautiful city I've ever visited, I think. I could see myself living here. Besides, I've been in Australia for almost a full year and there are still so many sights I didn't get to see.
On the other hand, I miss many things about Canada too. It'll be so great to see all the people I love back home again. Reuniting, catching up and trading tales should take at least a few weeks. And another thing, it'll be nice to be around people who talk "normal" all the time. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the way Australians speak. In fact, I've picked up dozens of great words over here. It just gets tiring being the "one with the accent" after awhile. Such is the life of the immigrant, I guess.
Speaking of, I feel this year has taught me a new appreciation for what an immigrant goes through when moving from one country to another. Immigrants deserve a lot of compassion and respect, especially those who don't speak the language of their new country.
As per usual, I'm almost out of time on this internet cafe computer. (God, will it be nice to use a computer at home for as long as I like again!)
I'll have a few more reflections on my trip in the coming days.
That's all for now.
Toodles.
And so: all good things must come to an end. How's that for insight?
I'm referring, of course, to my time in the Land Down Under. In just 12 more days I'll be jumping on an airplane to Fiji. Three days after that I'll board another plane for Vancouver. Then 14 hours later I'll find myself back in the homeland: Vive le Canada.
I have very mixed feelings about leaving Australia and going back home. I have to admit I've fallen in love with Sydney. It's the most beautiful city I've ever visited, I think. I could see myself living here. Besides, I've been in Australia for almost a full year and there are still so many sights I didn't get to see.
On the other hand, I miss many things about Canada too. It'll be so great to see all the people I love back home again. Reuniting, catching up and trading tales should take at least a few weeks. And another thing, it'll be nice to be around people who talk "normal" all the time. Of course, there is nothing wrong with the way Australians speak. In fact, I've picked up dozens of great words over here. It just gets tiring being the "one with the accent" after awhile. Such is the life of the immigrant, I guess.
Speaking of, I feel this year has taught me a new appreciation for what an immigrant goes through when moving from one country to another. Immigrants deserve a lot of compassion and respect, especially those who don't speak the language of their new country.
As per usual, I'm almost out of time on this internet cafe computer. (God, will it be nice to use a computer at home for as long as I like again!)
I'll have a few more reflections on my trip in the coming days.
That's all for now.
Toodles.
Monday, January 7, 2008
In with the new
Time for my first big post of 2008. I've been woefully neglectful of the blog lately and I feel slightly out of practice. But it was Christmas then New Year's and I've been doing a lot of travelling around.
Spent Christmas in Sydney . . . my first beach Christmas. It was really cool and really odd celebrating in the middle of summer. Unfortunately, Sydney's weather didn't cooperate too well for the event. It was a cool 20 degrees on Christmas Day and overcast. It made beach picnicking a little less fun, to be sure.
However, the weather has turned right around since then. It's been sunny almost every day for the last couple of weeks and the mercury even hit a scorching 42 degrees in Melbourne on New Year's Eve.
Speaking of Melbourne, I finally made it to Australia's second-most famous city. People have long been telling me how fantastic Melbourne is. Let's just say it was good to see it in person and I'm glad I went . . . but I won't be rushing back any time soon. Melbourne just didn't do it for me. Sure there are plenty of nice restaurants, some gorgeous old buildings and shopping, shopping, shopping and shopping.
But I'm a beach/sun/outdoor lover. Melbourne's few beaches are fairly small, lack surf and aren't close to the city. I could care less if a city has a Prada or Louis Vuitton or whatever outlet.
Sydney has all of those things PLUS a stunningly beautiful harbour, amazing beaches and better weather on the whole. Even Brisbane's city centre and river is prettier than Melbourne's, if you ask me. Melbournians will hate me for saying all of this (they are fiercely proud of their city) but it's just how I honestly feel (please no hate mail or at least no letter bombs).
The Great Ocean Road, an ocean highway near Melbourne, was totally beautiful. There is town after town and beach after beach. My sister (who just finished a two-week holiday in Australia from her job in Korea) and I both tried surfing for the first time. We had a blast, even if we are fairly crappy surfers. We also saw a humongous wild koala next to the highway right after the surfing lesson. Got some excellent photos of him . . . what a cute critter.
I'm now in Hobart, capital city of Tasmania (yes, Tasmania is a real place and it's part of Australia). It's very pretty here and also full of historic buildings, a beautiful harbour/port and friendly people. I dare say (cautiously) that I like it better than Melbourne.
All the best to all my friends and readers (if I still have any) for a healthy, happy 2008.
Spent Christmas in Sydney . . . my first beach Christmas. It was really cool and really odd celebrating in the middle of summer. Unfortunately, Sydney's weather didn't cooperate too well for the event. It was a cool 20 degrees on Christmas Day and overcast. It made beach picnicking a little less fun, to be sure.
However, the weather has turned right around since then. It's been sunny almost every day for the last couple of weeks and the mercury even hit a scorching 42 degrees in Melbourne on New Year's Eve.
Speaking of Melbourne, I finally made it to Australia's second-most famous city. People have long been telling me how fantastic Melbourne is. Let's just say it was good to see it in person and I'm glad I went . . . but I won't be rushing back any time soon. Melbourne just didn't do it for me. Sure there are plenty of nice restaurants, some gorgeous old buildings and shopping, shopping, shopping and shopping.
But I'm a beach/sun/outdoor lover. Melbourne's few beaches are fairly small, lack surf and aren't close to the city. I could care less if a city has a Prada or Louis Vuitton or whatever outlet.
Sydney has all of those things PLUS a stunningly beautiful harbour, amazing beaches and better weather on the whole. Even Brisbane's city centre and river is prettier than Melbourne's, if you ask me. Melbournians will hate me for saying all of this (they are fiercely proud of their city) but it's just how I honestly feel (please no hate mail or at least no letter bombs).
The Great Ocean Road, an ocean highway near Melbourne, was totally beautiful. There is town after town and beach after beach. My sister (who just finished a two-week holiday in Australia from her job in Korea) and I both tried surfing for the first time. We had a blast, even if we are fairly crappy surfers. We also saw a humongous wild koala next to the highway right after the surfing lesson. Got some excellent photos of him . . . what a cute critter.
I'm now in Hobart, capital city of Tasmania (yes, Tasmania is a real place and it's part of Australia). It's very pretty here and also full of historic buildings, a beautiful harbour/port and friendly people. I dare say (cautiously) that I like it better than Melbourne.
All the best to all my friends and readers (if I still have any) for a healthy, happy 2008.
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