Give and Take

We’ve been away for 2 ½ months, but it feels longer. Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about my life in Toronto, and it seems like a distance memory. It’s amazing how quickly humans can adapt. I hope that is the case when I go back to work in September. I wonder how long it will take me to get back into my regular routine?

There are things I definitely miss about life in Toronto:

-Being able to see my sisters (& their hubbies) whenever I want

-My friends

-A pay cheque

-Our cute condo (that I’m excited to do some re-decorating to when we get back!)

-My engagement ring (not safe to take it with me)

-Walking my dog (walking a dog is a funny thing…it goes from a chore to something you look forward to; time alone to think, get some exercise & bond with your pet)

-My kitchen, and my juicy kitchen gadgets

-Organic pre-washed baby spinach, feta cheese, hummus, frozen berries, Greek yogurt, hemp seeds, organic edamame, black beans, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, pumpkin seeds, President’s Choice

-Book club

-The English language – it’s going to be so strange (but amazing) to understand what people are saying

-St. Lawrence Market

-Shoppers Drug Mart

-The weekly Metro flyer

That being said, life is about give & take. Things that will be challenging about going home:

-Getting back into work – will I remember how to do my job?

-Not dictating my own work schedule

-Having to actually put make-up on, blow-dry my hair, wear a bra and put together a decent professional-looking outfit (I’ve been wearing tank tops with a bikini top & jean shorts on a regular basis)

-Getting up with an alarm at 6:30am – when it’s dark & cold

-Walking the dog when it’s early, dark & cold

-Re-joining the rat race

I guess that’s the thing about life; you have to take the good with the bad.

It’s the same with my life these days. Even though I’m not working, it’s 30 degrees everyday and I can pretty much do whatever I want; there are different challenges that come with this situation:

-Being lost in translation – sometimes I miss those random locker-room conversations with other women at the gym

-The feeling of being in limbo with my career: will I be a good nutritionist one day? Did I make the right decision? How am I going to start this business?

-Being able to walk to the grocery store or post office by myself again – it’s not safe enough here

-English magazines – the smutty mags just aren’t the same here…I have no clue who the celebs are!

-The comforts of home

All that being said; how you handle “the bad” depends on your attitude. Putting my life on hold has made me realize that I took things for granted at home. When I go back in September I’m going to look at those things I miss with a newfound appreciation, and try to take “the bad” with a grain of salt.

 

 

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6 Responses to Give and Take

  1. cynthia March 12, 2012 at 3:19 pm #

    we miss you to guys, we love fisher too!

  2. cynthia March 12, 2012 at 3:25 pm #

    Hi Lauren

    We can’t wait to see you again, thanks for sharing your feelings. By the way, we love having Fisher, he’s a wonderful companion.

  3. Jamie March 13, 2012 at 3:24 pm #

    Take it all in sweetie. You are having the adventure of a lifetime!

    • Lauren March 14, 2012 at 11:30 am #

      Thanks girl! That’s good advice!

  4. mom March 14, 2012 at 3:15 am #

    We miss you both and are counting the days-can’t wait xoxo

    • Lauren March 14, 2012 at 10:22 am #

      Me too! Can you tell I’m feeling home-sick?? xoxo

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