One Year Later.doc

This will be a short post to commemorate 365 days since setting sail. That's right, this time one year ago I was camped out at the Hamilton International (a bit of an oxymoron) waiting to board a flight to Europe - my first over the Atlantic. That next day I touched down in London, rushed around like a mad man, wrote the first ever Doc's Prescription, and expediently made my way to France to see Emily.

It's hard to believe a whole year has passed and that I'm just three months shy of a dual MA degree to go along with the one from U of T. I've seen so many amazing sights, befriended peers from all over the world, and learned an incredible things about myself and life. I'm going to save all kinds of deep perspective searching for a time in the future (when I'm closer to coming home) but here are some interesting statistics after a year abroad:

Countries visited: 15.

Flights in a Year: 17.

Blog Posts: 121.

Photos snapped: Well over 7000.

Pints of beer consumed: Also well over 7000.

It has been an incredibly important year, and I'm sure the truth of that statement will be proven again and again as time passes. I've learned about life over here and will bring lessons and confidence back with me, but I've also come to appreciate how great a country Canada is. We truly live in one of the best places in the world.

I've of course had lonely times and homesick nights, but the experiences over here far outweigh any hesitations about taking time out from the places and the people I know. I may miss all of you, but I'll come back a better person because of it. Through it all I've made some wonderful friends through MAIPR and while living in the UK and Amsterdam. Special highlights include visits with Michael, Jessica, Bronwyn and Cynthia, Graham and Leslie, Raffi and Viktor, my whirlwind ten days in Canada, and a plethora of amazing adventures with Emily who makes it feel like home isn't so far away when I see her.

These are the moments I wish I could celebrate with you all, but know that you're wishing me well from so far away. Don't worry Mom and Dad, I haven't really put away 7000 pints.

Best Wishes!


Doc's Prescription of the Day: 355 days outside the Canadian border makes you appreciate our true north strong and free. Take a look at what's going on south of us concerning health care and appreciate where we're from.