So my flatmate said something really profound today that kind of flew my mind, ‘in one month I’m going to be living in Montreal- I’m going to be beginning a whole new life.’ It made me realize that for one needed a drink because in exactly one month I would be packing up the last of my things to move out West with my boyfriend. We’d be beginning our life together in even less time.
We just found out that he had been accepted to study at U of A and couldn’t be happier. Both of our lives have sort have been in limbo waiting for this glorious news. I screamed on the phone in excitement and apparently my reaction alone was more crazy than Ashton’s own! Only a week back, or so, we had decided that regardless, we’d be moving out together out West as there were so many job opportunities and despite it being the most Northern urban centre before hitting the territories, Edmonton has a lot to offer in terms of alternative culture. (I’ve never been to a more vegan-friendly city!)
I feel like a bit of a jerk though. I’ve been re-hired by Bridgehead but have yet to tell them my plans and the agreement was that if hired, I would have to share anything related to oh, let’s say, running off to Europe for weeks at a time. And they’ve increased my wage on top of that! I’m actually so much better off away from the initial location I’m at. I’m moving yes, but Bridgehead is so eco-friendly that there aren’t even any boxes for me to pack things in. My living room is littered with boxes everywhere. Ashton has to deal with his crazy girlfriend shipping little things like my kitchen radio and shower curtain. Little things that bring me comfort and offer a sense of familiarity to my surroundings. I’m worried someone will show him photos of my flat in the UK- I had so much crap up everywhere just to make the space feel like ‘my own’. I’ll probably pack a stuffed animal too. Yes, I’m 23 and packing a little doggy.
Ashton’s already been there since May. He loves it and loves his job there even more. In fact, he was just interviewed by a local radio station about it yesterday.
I’m not going to be going to school in the Fall. This is the first time ever that I won’t be enrolled. I’m awaiting Fall graduation from Carleton (English and Film Studies). I’ve been post-secondary now for 8 years and think a year away will help me figure out if I want to go for my Masters. In the mean time, I’ve set my goals upon working for the University of Alberta. It’s funny how your life starts to echo your parents. The similarities in my case are eerie to say the least. I’ve applied for several administrative positions within the Student government and different departments. Oddly enough, I’m quite qualified for many of them having 2 years of university administration experience on top of that ol’ Secretarial Studies program I took when I was 16.
I’m still pursuing writing as much as possible, but as many of you know, my life has not been stable lately, and while normally that would fuel my manic inspirations, I’ve just taken to crying instead. (Don’t feel sorry, this is just how I’m coping.) Some good news on the front though- a short story that I’ve written is being published in The Moose & Pussy Magazine. It’s a sex erotica arts magazine that I’ve been a fan of since its inception. I was also enrolled to participate in an alternative culture radio program but because of how radical it was/is there was some difficulty in finding a home, and now that I’m leaving, I’d be stuck doing random freelance pieces. Amongst all of this madness, I don’t know how likely it is I’ll be able to contribute.
A lot of my friends have recently moved away. I said goodbye to my dear friend Alex whom I met in England because of High Soc and ended up adopting into my extended family. I went to my friend Marc’s goodbye party last night too. He’s moving off to my favourite city in Poland (Krakow) after years of talking of living and teaching there. Arkto, Marc!
So many people are moving away. I am too, but the intention is to return after one year. I still get a little intimidated whenever Ashton starts talking that far into the future. I have my moments where I’m like, you want to spend a year with me in Edmonton… like together!? I feel so lucky to have him in my life. I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for someone I truly loved this much. Just being near him makes me so happy. I’m confident we’ll be able to make a life for ourselves together there. He’s apartment hunting now.
I’m going to miss my friends and family terribly, but at least this time I’m in the same country! Only a two hour time difference but with any luck I’ll have a 9-5 type of job so you can call me, darlings ;)
I’ve only got so much longer here in Ottawa. A bunch of jobs I’ve applied for have closing date the first week of August so if I’m offered any interviews, I’ll be flying out immediately.
Anyways, I have yet another early morning of making lattes and serving muffins to the workers of Ottawa so I must bid you all adieu, and fight the urge of quoting The Sound of Music.
All the best,
- Samantha
