Reminders from Home.doc

On this Remembrance Day, I'm thankful for the efforts of all those who bravely fought for the freedom of our glorious country. I think I've said it on here before, but it really has taken a departure from our borders to gain perspective on the aspects of Canadian life that are unique to our section of the world. As much as today is a lament for the lives lost in the fighting and a reminder of the horrors of war, it's also a celebration of the values we've defended and the freedoms we're privileged to hold. As the famous Canadian poem goes, "To you from failing hands we throw / The torch; be yours to hold it high."

I've received a few messages from home in the past two days and they couldn't have come at a better time! The move from a rigorous class schedule to group work has meant a less structured work week. While this means more time for blogging (cheer!) it also means more time spent at the library and researching on my own for our presentation in three weeks. So the reminders from home were welcome.

My parents sent me six months worth of new contact lenses which refill the current ones I have. For those of you who are skype regulars, this means I'll be wearing my glasses less and returning to the comfort of lenses. I've endeavoured to wear the specs more than my last ones though - I'm much more of a fan of the thick frames. The package also contained two packets of Tim Hortons coffee and two Laura Secord chocolate bars. Oh man, how Canadian eh? I'll have to figure a way to filter the coffee since the majority over here is instant (which is abhorrently second rate). I've also been drinking more tea than coffee over here, go figure, but I'd do anything for a sip of a true double-double. The Laura Secords are also a nice reminder of home. My grandmother spoiled us rotten when we kids and a trip to LS was usually a feature of any mall excursion.

Last night I spent a glorious hour and a half on the Skype Train chatting with Erin and Meg. Today I've got an evening slot 'penned' in with Jess. I received a full Toronto update - who's doing what, how jobs are going, and what the future holds. I'm constantly amazed by the achievements of my friends. There really is something to be said for the necessity of keeping in good correspondence while over here. It's easy to fall into the trap of telling myself I'm too busy but it's simply not true. You always decide how you allocate your time, and keeping updated is simply just high on the priority scale. Meg and I agreed that wherever the Holiday party is this year, there will be a laptop set up on the mantle for Em and I to join the group. In addition to the package and skype chats, I received a post card from Paris from you know who! I've also never had to respond to so many facebook messages! It's really great to hear from everyone.

As much as this year is a selfish opportunity to travel in Europe and have some wonderful experiences, it's also meant to guide me towards something more professional upon a return to Canada. If I'm having a prolonged chat with my DSC friends we usually end up talking about future career options - probably inevitable when you've just turned 24. Being my sixth straight year of uni, I'm ready for a a more structured schedule that doesn't involve only 15 hours of contact time and so much independent work. As liberating as the uni schedule is, it has become almost too free flowing for my liking. Hopefully my internship in Amsterdam, which I've started to negotiate with a prof there, will bring the more professional change I'm seeking and lead to something in Toronto. I'm suppose to spend at least 280 hours as an intern so it'll definitely be like having a job in addition to classes.

Bec and I are heading to Liverpool this weekend. The International Office is organizing a bus trip (excuse the lameness of that statement) and we're taking advantage of the cheap return ticket to get up to our own devices in the city. This means you can look forward to copious Beatles shots. Liverpool is currently the 2008 European Capital of Culture which is "a city designated by the European Union for a period of one calendar year during which it is given a chance to showcase its cultural life and cultural development." Sounds prestigious. I'm glad to get the opportunity to visit LPool while it has this status. Maybe I'll try to get to the 2009 EU Capital of Culture as well. Wheels are turning...

Doc's Prescription of the Day: Even if you don't get the chance to hear the trumpet, listen to the poem, or observe an official silence, take a moment to reflect and remember.