Part II

One of my biggest issues this past year was my location. Don't get me wrong, I love(d) my house from the very beginning.

My problem has been how far I am from everyone and everything, see here for a full 'tirade'. New to the country, new to the school...no family or friends---yea loneliness killed me! Well in January/early Feb, my landlords and I came to a peaceful agreement. Since things were getting more and more difficult for them to find someone to commit to such a short term lease (6 months) especially in the middle of winter, they knocked off $100 from the rent and I accepted.

The strike ended the same week (or maybe a week or so before) so I was feeling much more hopeful about regaining my independence with a car. Well of course, as I shared in the last post, I only got the car beginning of April...more than 4 months later but I got more acquainted with the bus system and just made it work! It was all about a change in perspective and the power of 'hope'. A little bit of hope can fuel an empty vessel! I think the fact that I was simultaneously working on that license also helped to make me feel like I was 'progressing'. I got a sense of control back, I was able to change my situation.

Anyway, long story short, I unpacked....gradually (yes that means that I surely did pack up EVERYTHING), made more regular visits to friends, the mall, the movies- all via the local bus system. In March, I got connected with a local church and that just opened an entire new support system for me.

so....I am back at the point I was in January except under better circumstances. My lease is up in August and since I will be heading back home at the end of this month, I need to secure new residences before I leave.

After a mere 2 weeks of looking, I've found a place that I love! YAY! It meets all my requirements and price is competitive for the area and what it offers- I am only waiting to hear back from the landlord to see if it is still available. what it offers:

• close location to school - 5 minutes (walk) - which is great since parking for me (who refuses to pay for a school permit) is about a 10 minute walk now.
• hardwood floors, I detest carpeting unless I am the first to live with it
• central air -HUGE bonus although I probably will only need it for 3 months of the year. I will be missing the awful heat this summer
• all utilities included in rent
• personal washer and dryer- NOT coin operated
• personal storage space in basement
• parking
• complimentary furniture if I want (desk, table, couch and chairs)

I am hoping this move is the last one I will have to make until it is time for graduation so I have some serious demands to ensure comfort and sanity over the next 3-4 years. If the above described apartment doesn't work out for me, I found a backup today. This one is a 1 bedroom though, so it is not ideal for a situation if Handsome decides to join me and live here for a couple years but it isn't that small that we couldn't make it work either.

All in all, I am optimistic about the new living arrangements although I am not looking forward to actually moving. :)

Until next time...

smooches!

Part 1

I know I promised an update over a week ago but clearly that was a FAIL although for a worthy cause...had a deadline for my final assignment that kinda overtook my life.

I figured I'd start the update with the easiest thing....

I am a fully licensed driver in Ontario!!! As of April 1st, my 4 month process came to an end...or should I say "beginning" considering it marked the beginning of another aspect of this journey.

Here is my little blue Aveo affectionately known as "Smurfie".

It is still taking some getting used to as it is a very small vehicle and I am an SUV kinda girl but I refuse to complain and am just loving my new found freedom.

Backing up a bit...this process began in January with the written test, then I had to take 2 (yes I said 2) road tests. and NO, I didn't fail any- it's apparently the Canadian way for everyone to go through 2 stages before being fully licensed. I, fortunately, was blessed to get the 1 year wait time between the 2 road tests waived, thus my entire experience was only 4 months when it technically should have been more like 1 year and 4 months...

Other wonderful things going on:

• I found a church and a new church "family" that I love
  
• I am still in the same house and happy (Part II)
• In general, I am more comfortable and less lonely even though I am still living alone
• I have friends and the beginnings of a social network in the city
• My hair is growing healthy and I'm loving it...most days
  
• I have completed the first year and I am living to tell the tale (Part III)

I think that is all for now...I promise to not stay away too long. I'm still under a deadline (summer project) but it is definitely less demanding than juggling classes, work and life!

smooches

Its Monday!

I'm "home" trying to warm the house up. The rest of the weekend was fabulous and I really enjoyed myself. I awoke to a surprise on Sunday morning when I looked out the windows and saw a layer of frost/snow on the ground, rooftops and trees. Of course, I thought I was freaking out and rubbed my eyes but I saw clearly the first time. It all melted by the time we left the house and yesterday turned out to be a beautiful day besides the temperature being a bit chilly.

I'm unpacking and getting organized for this week and of course just as I walked in the house I felt the 'loneliness' but today should be busy and I already spoke with the hubby for the morning so that's usually a great pick-me-upper!

I'll have to update later with pics of my new 'hairdo' and shopping details. :)

Something to think on today: "Its not the nature of love to force a relationship but it is the nature of love to open the way." ~ WM Paul Young in "The Shack"

smooches

I wanna scream!

Life is still helter-skelter in this part of town. The nice thing is the stress isn't school-work related but just getting acquainted to the various aspects of being a graduate student on this campus which just means that once this phase is past, the 'stress' should go to normal. But right now, there are/were orientations and meetings for everything and it seriously has my head swinging.

I know myself and I realize the problem doesn't lie solely in the demands of this week (which will probably flow into next week) but the fact that I don't have enough time and/or energy to adequately organize myself; because in the midst of all the meetings and orientations I'm participating in- are the readings and assignments for class next week that I need to be working on!

And if that isn't enough...I am caught in the midst of a strike! the workers who hold the power to issue/renew drivers' license for drivers in Ontario are on strike. I will never underestimate anyone's role ever again. This little problem has created a huge dilemma for me....We've found a couple reasonable car options which we put offers for and then realize that we need insurance (duh). Then we call the insurance companies and realize we need an Ontario license in order to be insured no. other.options. And no one...and I mean no one has any clue as to when this strike/unrest will be resolved. the last strike occurring in this little city went on to more than 6 weeks...

Where does this leave us? well we are currently in a rental which we just found out will cost us in excess of $500 for this one week and so we can't extend for the next week as we planned because 2 weeks in a rental (a basic Chevy cobalt-v4 engine-no power nothing) will be more than $1k. you've got to be kidding right? nope. dead serious.

The bus doesn't run across my street so I've got to get real acquainted with walking. NOW. the worst part is that I still have to go to school daily for the next week for these same meetings and stuff because normally- I only have to be on campus 3 times a week. I'm more than frustrated now. like seriously...walking is a good 15-20mins and my books are ridiculously heavy. Did I mention I have 2-3 books for each class????????

Can someone please pay those wonderful workers at the driving center so they can process my application, give me an appointment and let me be on my way...After having to wait on them to get back to work- I don't even have the energy to complain about how this silly system is set up and the possibility that I will have to not only take a driving test (yup..think 16years old again) but I will also possibly only be eligible for a provisional drivers license which comes with its own set of limitations.

I need a padded room about 5 x 5 which I can just pummel into the walls and scream without disturbing anyone.

In my state of discouragement, I'm seriously trying to be hopeful...which ended just now when I got off the phone from the insurance company with a tentative quote of $2500.00 for car insurance. I didn't even pay that much when I was a first time driver in my teens with my first car.

I seriously just need to bang my head....

I'm out.