Wow, what a year that was...We woke up on the 1st January 2009 full of excitement mixed with slight fear - and probably a hangover! - as we knew 2009 was going to be a turning point in our lives.
We were going to be leaving behind everything we knew, people we loved, most of what we owned - including our wedding outfits - a country we thoroughly enjoyed living in - apart from the weather! - and other countries we loved and knew we may never see again (Zanzibar...).. to go to the complete unknown, the other side of the world...ok maybe not quite the other side but it felt like it.
In January our working visas arrived and with that the start of a great adventure. We had 3 months to sell it all, save a lot, plan, organise, pack, ship, rent our house, keep our sanity during the whole process, leave our jobs and say our goodbyes, not knowing when or if we will see those dear friends and family again.
Well, we did it and it all went rather smoothly. Then on the 2nd April, in those very early hours of the morning when no-one is awake yet, we crept out of our house and closed the door behind us, to our house, our friends, our family...and our lives as they were.
Following a very expensive flight (due to all our excess baggages!) with a very uninspiring upgrade, we landed in Canada, which was to be our new home. There was still snow about.
Past immigration, which was a much better experience than our first trip over - phew! - and once Frodo was picked up and released from the cage he had to endure for over 10 hours, we set off to Drumheller, perfectly aware that the drive was going to be a boring and bland one (Calgary to Drumheller...prob the most disappointing drive you'll ever experience if you come and visit)...but somehow, that time, the drive had a different feel.
[Thank you Martin for ALL your help]
We set up home in a hotel, thankfully only for 2 or 3 days, and went to see our new house. Now, everyone will remember how my heart sank when I first saw it - Oh my god, we left our lovely house for this? - but we set to work cleaning and painting it, and in no time, it started to look like a home....never more so than when the remnants of our previous life arrived to our doorstep....I will never forget that feeling...funny how "things" can mean so much.
Within the first week of arriving, we probably had the most amazing break...walking into a shop ran from a house called "The Melting Pot". Oh Vicki, thank you so much. for being you. for having taken us into your world. for changing me. for making me accept myself more and learn to laugh at my downsides (the curry face thing for instance). for sharing with us the friends you have. for sharing your life with us.
I can say something special about ALL the people we have encountered here and trust me, we have come across a great amount. I know I always try and see the best in people, but here, it's not hard. I thank and love every single one of you.
Husband, thank you so much for allowing me to take such a long break and enjoy life here. One day, I promise, it will be your turn!
Who knows what 2010 will have in store and to some extent, who cares? 2009 will stay in my heart, and I am sure in Brent's heart too, as one of the most amazing years of my life...I hope all my friends have had or get to experience a year like this in their life...who knows, in 2010 maybe? ;-)
Happy New Year All
