For those not in Canada, there is a popular television program on the CBC called ‘This Hour Has 22 Minutes’, which is actually a parody on another, earlier TV Program called ‘This Hour has Seven Days’, a hard-hitting CBC news magazine from the mid-1960s (which some have said inspired the US program “60 Minutes”). The “22 Minutes” bit refers to the fact that a half-hour television program is actually 22 minutes long to make room for commercials. Why am I referring to a Canadian reference which is in turn, upon another Canadian reference? Because today, in Calendar or Clock-time, we’ve been here for exactly one year. It sure feels like longer, so I’m estimating, for a nice, round number, an extra 35 days.
In this year we:
- Sold our house and bought a condo
- Sold our car
- Packed up and moved all of our possessions
- Got to know a new city
- Set up a new home network
- Got new bank accounts, credit cards and ATM cards
- Got Work Permits, Medical Care Cards and Social Insurance Numbers
- Got New Driver’s Licenses
- Got a new Job (David) and 3 Contract engagements (Pam)
- Met some new friends and acquaintances
- Applied for Landed Immigrant Status (Permanent Residency)
- Hosted friends and family who came to visit on several occasions
- Had friends over for dinner, and went to more than a few picnics and parties
- Joined a Gamelan (David) and ran a Documentation Competition (Pam)
That’s only part of what we did in the past year. It does feel longer, but on the other hand, I could have also said that this year contains 300 days, because it also feels like it has gone by very quickly. That’s what a major change to one’s life will do.
Today, maybe partly to celebrate this anniversary, I took a ride around the city. Pam was feeling like she was coming down with a cold, so I went out by myself and rented an electric scooter. I drove all around, from due east of our place for some errands, then back across the Burrard Bridge, to Sunset Beach, and then across town (north) on Chillco Street, where I connected up with the route around Stanley Park. I went all the way around the Park, and then returned across the bridge, meeting Pam at Granville Island. Now, there are probably some who are wondering “Are you allowed to take an electric scooter all the way around Stanley Park?” To this I have to answer: Apparently, No (Oops). I was misinformed, but nobody told me to get off the path. The next time I do this, I won’t be able to feign ignorance. Anyway, no one (including me) was harmed by my little jaunt around the seawall, and the trip, which took about an hour, was a blast. The weather was perfect, and I must have seen a million people at every point, on the beaches, the parks, the bridges and streets. I got several great views of the city, as well as the mountains (wish my camera were working, but that’s another story). This truly is one of the most gorgeous spots on the planet, and year later or not, I’m still in awe of just how beautiful it is.
So it’s been a year. Tonight, Pam and I will sit down to another meal of good, healthy food, nearly all from the market at Granville Island. She is right now doing a little tidying up on the terrace. which continues to bloom (roses and hostas at the moment). I read some of my old entries from a year ago, and although I do recognize the writing and the person behind them, I’m not entirely sure whether they and I are the same. It will take a bit more time (but probably less than another 400 days) to know for sure. What I do know, is that we’re now settled and content, and that is a far nicer place to be than ‘about to move’ and anxious.