Vous me manquez...

I love to reflect. If I could sum up my childhood experience into the activities I was most consistent and determined at, it would be (1) making my parents proud and (2) writing in journals/diaries/sketchbooks/computer files. A sudden need to organize my life, an emotion I needed to express, worries that bogged me down, splurges of need to create art all gave me reason to run to the secret place I kept my thoughts to write what so bothered me. So it was really expected that I take notes as I discover the experience of living in Paris (Another Friday at the Louvre tonight!). I didn't think about writing a blog until, a good friend and mentor of mine suggested it to me from his experience in Kenya. Nik shared with me his blog which I would like to share here: http://nikinkenya.blogspot.com/

One of his entries inspires me to write today's; what I miss about my life in Canada...

1. Sitting in a great-looking office that has yet to be improved for ventilation, I wish I was cold right now. I know I will regret this later, but I do miss the cold weather that pinches my cheeks and makes them red. Mostly, I miss the snow just because it really made a steel city look like a calm and serene place just before those noisy snow trucks passed by. It is cold in Paris but right now sitting in the office after work hours, I am hot!
2. GO, HSR, TTC! I miss you!! Do you know how complicated the metro system is here in Paris?? If GO was here, I could figure out a way to go to versaille on my own! I could probably get to parts of France quite easily. It seems so complicated here- maybe that's because of the language which leads me to my next point.
3. L'anglais me manque! I miss the language I can speak in without having to translate in my head. I miss being able to express myself to a stranger on the street- not that I would in Hamilton... I just miss that I could communicate if I wanted to- we'll see where two and a half more months gets me.
4. My apartment in Hamilton was small compared to others, but relative to my small studio here, it was HUGE! I miss the space I had when I wanted to go to the kitchen. Oh, and I miss kitchens. I have an electric oven-top, small fridge and small counter oven on a table- that is the kitchen here! I also think quite often of the bed I had in Canada. Do you know how nerve-racking it is to wake up in the morning and have to climb down a ladder to get ready for work?
5. I miss my cat.. He is happy from what I hear with his new owner, but I loved how he would sit right next to my head when I watched TV with his paw outstretched on to my shoulder. :-)
6. I no longer have internet at my fingertips. Yes, I am at the computer right now and am going to post this on the internet, but I don't have internet on my phone or at home. It is not easy! McDonald's is my best friend here because he let's me use his Wi-Fi. How did the generations before smart phones survive? 
7. Ambitious City Toastmasters!!!! I miss the club so much. Their support and determination always gave me strength at public speaking and leadership. 
8. McMaster University... the maroon, white, and gold, don't forget me!
9. I miss my friends.. I made some of my closest friends during my years in Canada.
10. Finally, and quite dearly, I miss the All Saints of North America Orthodox Church in Hamilton. They were the spiritual family I spent most Sundays with. I hope you are doing well!

There are more.. lots more. The more you spend in a country, the more you will miss it.. What do you think?

It is funny that today I was speaking about how 'Tu me manques' (You I miss) is different in French than in English with my colleagues at work. After thinking about it, I like the French approach better.  <<I miss you so much that I will put 'you' before 'me'.>>

Friends, family, and Canada, I miss......


Till the next,

Viva