Posts filed under 'Travel'
I have changed a lot in the last few years. In little ways, that probably don’t seem to amount to much from the outside, but change my entire experience of living–and as best as I can chalk it up it is simply the growing pains of the tomboy who inevitably grows up into a woman. So what has changed?
I cry more. I scream when I’m startled. I get startled. Bugs scare me. I love small children. My heart stops when I see a newborn baby sleeping. And I have grown to be nostalgic.
I remember 2 short years ago (if that), discussing with a dear friend of mine the idea of having chapters in your life. You know? Sections which open, develop and close. Fully-contained. I used to feel like my life had sections like that–things I had been through and learned from, which I had left behind. Now too much thought about a time in my past and my heart begins to bleed for moments which seem lost.
They say ‘it’s a small world’. And with globalization it’s just getting smaller. But you know what? Japan is just too bloody far away. And a whole year of your life somewhere is a hard thing to have left behind.
I can’t imagine how those people, even just 50 years ago, got on those boats and left Europe and came to this corner of the world knowing they would never have the luxury of looking back. I can’t imagine it for a second. I don’t understand how you can say goodbye to homes of yours, and to the people who have made those homes what they were. I don’t understand how you are supposed to move on.
When did I get to be so bloody emotional?
August 13th, 2007
I love being away. I love new places.
This time ’round I stayed with a cousin who lives in Eastbourne on the Southern coast of England, a place I had never been. It was absolutely gorgeous. The buildings all seemed to be lower, and of more earthy colours, built lining hills and amongst tall trees. I had a sense that ‘civilization’ was more established there than here at home. It seemed to exist in a better harmony with the natural skylines and environment surrounding it.
Maybe that’s just because settlements in England are so much older than the ones here. Maybe it’s because nothing could be more apposed to natural environment than the suburban neighbourhoods I’m used to in North America. Maybe it’s because I always seem to filter my view of other countries through a rosey pink looking-glass.
February 27th, 2007
Winter is finally here in all of its beautiful glory. I hate the short days, and I’m expectantly waiting for March I’ll admit–but the only thing worse than the short days this winter has been that they have been short, grey/green/brown days.
This last week the snow has finally arrived, and the Canadian in me rejoices to look outside and see the sun dancing on the myriad of snowflakes and ice. The Canadian in me doesn’t even mind that lately the sun has been hiding alot because it has meant that I can watch snowflakes floating and blowing in every direction on their way down to coat the ground (much more interesting than watching my professor at the front of the classroom).
Usually I would be nothing but excited to be going somewhere a bit warmer for two weeks, but I have to admit that a tiny bit of my heart is broken to know that during a winter this short I’ll be spending two of the only snow-filled weeks somewhere else (not to mention somewhere that is destined to be grey/green/brown).
…that being said I’m getting extremely excited. 8 days and I’m on a plane. …it’s been too long. Ireland here I come!
February 6th, 2007