Canada, Argentina, England, Indonesia.. Whoosh!

I arrived back in Canada late at night on August 4, 2009. I was quite tired from the long trip from Tokyo to Vancouver, then Vancouver to Toronto; but I was thrilled to finally be with D who picked me up at the airport. We went back to the apartment and I had flowers and ice cream cake waiting for me! (How sweet, huh?)



I spent the first few days in Toronto getting adjusted to my new home and surroundings. Toronto is a great city and truly the most multicultural part of Toronto. You never lack choices of food/restaurants here. A few days after I arrived home, my brand new Dell notebook computer arrived! I was ecstatic! For the past 4 years in Japan, I had been using a desktop so I really loved the mobility and freedom I had with my new toy! :) We went up to Golden Lake for the weekend with my family to visit their trailer and do some camping which fun. D got completely eaten by bugs (so maybe not so much fun!)



A few weeks later, we headed to Bariloche, Argentina for D's work. It was a beautiful place and Bariloche which is in the Patagonia Region of Argentina on the border of Chile in the Andes Mountains. The food in Argentina was great (especially the meat), however, most restaurants alot colder that I had thought it would be. We flew from Toronto to Buenos Aires and then on to don't open for dinner service until 8:30pm or 9:00pm as Argentinians eat quite late. The hotel we stayed at was amazing and the views from the room were spectacular.

On September 24th, our big trip commenced. We would head to London, England for 2 weeks for D's work follwed by a 3-week trip to Indonesia to visit some family. We had a great time in London, and were lucky to be staying in a beautiful hotel in the west end of London. We went to see 3 musical productions: Priscilla Queen of the Desert, Oliver and Chicago. Priscilla Queen of the Desert was absoultely fabulous and hilarious throughout. London is a quite expensive city and easy to get lost on all the web-like streets but a beautiful place. I bought the London Pass and did my own touring around visiting attractions such as Big Ben, Tower Bridge, Apsley House, Wellington Gate, St. Paul's Cathedral and many more. I even participated in a "Jack the Ripper" walking tour which was both great and a bit creepy!

After London, we flew to Jakarta, Indonesia. It was a great place, however the traffic is terrible. There are so many motorbikes on the roads due to the price of cars being very expensive in Indonesia (while everything else seems to be dirt cheap). There are no "official" road rules in Indonesia which makes driving a feat I never plan on attempting. We visited Bali for about 5 days with D's family and had a great time there as well. It was quite hot with most days reaching about 36C but I quickly got adjusted to the scorching head (and shaved my head!)

Well, September 24 - November 3 was a whirlwind of travel but we both had a superb time. I love traveling, but it is true that home is where the heart is. Whenever I travel, I always seem to start missing home a few weeks in to the trip. When we arrived back in Toronto we were welcomed by a change in seasons apparently. When we had left Canada it was still quite warm in the end part of summer, however, when we came back we were hit by very cold and windy weather with temperatures going as low as 2C. I love the cold weather though and will take it over hot/humid conditions anyday!

We arrived home Tuesday night and on Wednesday went shopping at Walmart. Why? I NEED MY CHRISTMAS STUFF! That's right..I love Christmas and believe in enjoying the Christmas atmosphere for a full 2 months. We bought our tree, decorations and all sorts of other goodies. I listened to Christmas music while putting everything up and really am starting to feel in the holiday spirits. Christmas in Japan last year was great, spent with friends and having a good time, however it never quite felt like Christmas there. Oh, by the way..as of this moment there are 43 days, 18 hours, 2 minutes and 19 seconds til Christmas. (I'm just a bit excited)

In other news, my mother moved up to Iqaluit, Nunavut (way up in Canada's North) on October 14th to begin her new position as finance manage for Nunavut, Tourism. I was a bit worried about this huge move at this point in her life and how she would adjust to the culture, isolation, weather and living conditions there but she has adjusted amazingly and now doesn't wish to leave..EVER! My father recently obtained a 6-month employment position with the Nunavut Board of Education in the finance department and will be leaving to move to Iqaluit next Friday (November 20th). I'm sure my mother is thrilled that her husband will soon be up there!



I have been applying for lots and lots of jobs recently and even though the employment market is not as strong as it used to be, I have had a very positive response to my applications and resume. I have already had a few interviews. I have one today to be a speciality travel consultant for Thomas Cook Travel/Encore Cruise Escapes and one on Thursday with itravel2000 for a similar postion. Wish me luck, eh!

D bought a new car yesterday as we didn't have one and although one isn't really needed in Toronto, it's definitely a nice convenience to have. We are now the proud owners of an 2009 Acura CSX! It's a beautiful car and was a great deal! We get it Thursday after we have insurance and the car is ready with options and everything! Can't wait!

On Friday, I will head up to Acton with my Dad for my Aunt Colleen & Uncle Ken's surprise 40th Wedding Anniversary party. I'm looking forward to spending some time with my Dad before he leaves for Iqaluit and also seeing his side of the family (cousins, etc) whom I haven't seen since I was last home in December 2007!

Well........I believe that we're now caught up to date. I haven't written every single detail about every single thing I have done in the last month, but at least now you have an idea and I won't forget what I've done either! Expect more updates as we come closer to Christmas!

Sayonara Japan..I'll never forget you!

I've said it before and I'll say it again: SORRY! It has been nearly 5 months since my last update here on my blog and alot has happened in my life. I'll try to start where we last left off and work up to the present day. Hold on to your hats, here we go:
The last 6 weeks of my time in Japan flew by as I was busy with teaching and training the new teacher who would be replacing me. It was a very emotional time for me and I was filled with so many emotions around this time: excitement, sadness, fear, and nostalgia. I had a lot of fun with my students in the last few weeks I taught them and leaving them was perhaps one of the most difficult parts about leaving Japan. I was not overly confident/comfortable about the replacement whom I was leaving my students in the care of. He did not seem overly energetic or have a good grasp on how to effectively teach children. I have since learned that many of the parents have removed their students from the school. I get so many nice emails from them saying how great of a teacher I was, and how dearly they all miss me.

In the last week or so leading up to my departure from Japan, I had a great Sayonara party at Daryle's place (which almost felt like my apartment since he had taken so much of my things/furniture!) It was great to be able to have a good time with all of my friends once more before I would leave. Highlights of the night would include Absinthe shots, Amber getting sooo drunk and playing the amazing Japanese drinking game (oh, and of course the dance off between Daryle and Aurelien).

On the Saturday before I left Japan, I had planned a large farewell lunch at Keiyakidai park in Moriya to see all of my students and their parents before leaving. I was astounded by how many people came to see me! It was a great day and I was glad to spend it with Daryle, Brita and Anna. The 4 of us headed back to my apartment to go through the gifts I had received and finishing moving things out. It was at this time that the friendship nut club was formed. I had bought some really cool nuts from Thailand a year back and gave one to Daryle, Anna, and Brita and kept one for myself. Whatever our paths in life, wherever they may take us; as long as each of has one of these nuts we will always be connected in friendship. I keep mine with me all the time!

My last few days in Japan were spend with my closest friends. Daryle, Anna and I headed to Matsudo to visit Daryle's friend Prent and to see the great fireworks competition. The fireworks were great and seem to last a very long time! I will always remember this night. The day before I left for Canada, Daryle and I headed into Tokyo to meet the new Ibaraki JETs that were there doing their initial training. It was great to see alot of my friends there and to meet the new people. We went to a really cool izakaya and had some amazing food and drinks.

Tuesday August 4, 2009 - perhaps one of the saddest days in my life. This is the day I left Japan to return to Canada. Saying goodbye to my best friend Daryle as he left for work was perhaps one of the most difficult things I've ever had to do. He played such a huge role in my happiness in Japan and we shared so many memories and good times together. Anna drove me to the airport and we both had a bit of a cry before I left her and headed into the airport. I spent 5 years of my life in Japan, and really grew up alot there. I had some amazing times, met some amazing people and never regretted my decision to live/work there. Japan changed me, and it will always be a part of who I am. I may live in Canada now, but a piece of my heart and soul will always remain in the land of the rising sun: Japan.SP