At Home and Abroad.doc

I'm sitting here on a beautiful Sunday morning sipping coffee and watching the sun illuminate the autumn toned trees. Leaves whip around in the wind and land abruptly on the fresh ground. Not much has happened over here between my last post on Wednesday and today's weekend update. On the other hand, a lot of excitement has been going on back home in my absence. While Leamington is probably home for another ten weeks or so, for these purposes it fulfills the abroad portion of the binary.

At home and abroad, sorting, packing, and moving are on the horizon. At home, my parents have sold the house and are moving on November 16. This is something I knew could become a reality while I was gallivanting over here, but it will all be completed in a mere number of weeks. They're moving into a beautiful condo in St. Catharines (Thorold residents no more!) I think the move comes at the right time - they're understandably tired of shoveling snow and mowing the lawn. At the same time, it's difficult to not be there to help with the process and say goodbye to 20 years of memories in our home. I'm not the type to get nostalgic about a building, but it's a big family change. Abroad, I'll be moving again in about ten weeks. It'll be the fourth time I've moved in 16 months. I don't know where I'm moving yet - back to Canada (Toronto?), somewhere in the UK for a bit, or a few weeks of traveling. I have NO solid plan, but I'm pretty certain I won't be in Leamington after December. I'm waiting for a few more things to become clear before making a decision about what the next move might be, but I know I'll have to choose something fairly soon. It's not that I'm scared to pull the trigger on something (even though I am naturally indecisive), there are just SO many variables in the mix. An incredible number of variables. Thankfully, I know that whatever the decision, I'll have support from home.

At home and abroad, new chapters are being penned. At home, my friends are charting new paths and blazing incredible trails. Two of my best friends, Michael and Megan, are settling into a condo downtown. I'm so proud of their wonderful venture and cannot wait to share a few glasses of wine and catch up in their living room. Their example is one of the reasons I'm excited to jump into the working world. I've been trying to picture the routine they'll soon be forming (like that at 135 Isabella) and all of the wonderful parties they'll host along the way. Michael is one of the busiest guys I know, but he's been a fantastic correspondent the whole year. It'll be great to visit and spy one of my postcards tacked up somewhere. Abroad, I'm penning new chapters - literally not figuratively. The dissertation work continues. I've been mixing it up recently and working from Cafe Nero in the city. The lack of net helps me focus and it's nice and quiet. The work makes for pretty standard days and means that I have to dream up gimmicky blog structures to make things interesting.

At home and abroad, we work hard and play hard. At home, some of my favourite girls are working incredibly hard, but I'm sure it feels like play. I'm talking about the fantastic She Said What comedy crew (Carly, Emma, Marni, Meg, and Meg Mack). I recently took a look at a video promo and was blown away. I remember seeing three of their initial shows (over a year and a half ago now) and the video features all of their new stuff. It's weird that a video like that would be a reminder of all I've been missed, but my heart ached to be in the audience watching these funny ladies shine. They are one of five 2009 Tim Sims Award Nominees and will be competing in the Cream of Comedy in November. I'm incredibly proud of how far they've come (from rehearsals in the 135 living room) but I'm also a bit sad I won't be there to cheer them on. Abroad, I continue to temper my work with play. On Thursday night I went out again with the Warwick Pride group in Coventry. It was loads of fun, and a good break after a really quick week. Thankfully, a cab back from Coventry was shared by five of us Leamingtonites and I randomly met Zoey in town; we walked home together. Friday night, Courtney invited me to dinner - she prepared a fantastic three course meal. We had pastries, pasta, and carrot cake. She spoiled me! Courtney and I had a great routine at the U Amsterdam library, and unfortunately I've abandoned her a bit with my affinity to work from home, so it was great to catch up over a wonderful meal. I'm returning the favour this evening.

At home and abroad, retirement is only a few weeks away. At home, my Dad is retiring from work after this week! He fondly speaks of starting at Todd's Men's Wear at the age of 15. After 45 years, he's due for an end to full time work. It doesn't mean that he'll stop working at Henley House, but he'll switch to part time. Like the move into the condo, I wish I was around to celebrate this milestone with my Dad. His friends and colleagues at work had a party this week in his honour and I would have loved to be there. I'm deeply proud of his accomplishments. Abroad, I'm not really retiring from anything. But I AM taking a break from school and academia once this dissertation is handed in. I'm much too jaded for my own good. I actually looked up jaded to see if it's the word I wanted, and the definition is perfect: to make or become dull, worn-out, or weary, as from overwork or overuse. This is precisely how I feel. I don't know if I'll be "retiring" from academics, but I'm done for a while. There is light at the end of the tunnel. But unfortunately, I'm not sure what's on the other side.

Doc's Prescription of the Day: At home and abroad, life goes on. I hope to be home soon to share in these moments, and describe to you my travels abroad.