Welcome to my first Canadian adventure diary entry. I'm not quite used to this travel blog yet. I think I prefer the Get Jealous one but I can't use that again unless I pay like 15 squid. So here is my new one using "Fuzzy Travel"!!
So for most of you who may become regular reader's of this blog, you will know that I’m off to Canada on the 11th November (tomorrow). The flight is at 13.00 and check in is at 10.00. At that time I will be meeting my new Bunacer friends! It’s all very exciting. In some ways it doesn't feel that long ago I was leaving the UK for Australia at the tender age of 19 (JUST)!!! But it does also feel like quite along time ago when I consider what I have been through over the last 3 years.
It's funny when I consider how easily I changed my opinions about travelling. I remember when I got back from Australia... I turned 20 shortly after I returned back to the UK, I had a three year social work course to begin in some random city named Wolverhampton and I felt like it was finally time for me to grow up and a become a responsible adult (especially after I had spent a year travelling, meeting people, getting drunk and being a free spirit). I felt like I would never want to go anywhere again for a 12 month Working Visa.
When I got to uni and I started the course I remember feeling overwhelmed by the severity of the course. It was not to be taking lightly and many students dropped out during the first phase. I felt a real sense of duty to perform... to become the best I could be and to succeed no matter what. These feelings got to me and I was totally struck by the harsh realities of things that go on most don't see or want to think about. As such, when Matt and I leisurely discussed the prospects of travelling in the summers or after uni I remember being adamant that I would not do anything like Australia again... almost because I felt a sense of duty to be a social worker and nothing else. In fact I remember thinking that my life as a professional social worker will begin the day after I qualify.
OHHH I was soooo wrong. I was so naive to think it would be that easy. In fact I remember changing my mind about the prospect of travelling again sometime during the third year at Uni.
The last year at uni was the hardest year out of the three. It involved the most uni work, the longest hardest placement and a sheer lack of a social life. I remember waking up one day and just thinking... "There’s got to be more to life than this". I knew of course that potentially my life would be less stressful and demanding once I had completed all the uni work and just have to do the job. But it was more so the thought of being a 'proper' social worker that dawned on me the most.
I'm definitely not saying that the course didn't prepare me enough to do the job (I know some of my uni friends felt that way). Its just I simply don't feel ready. I like the job, I enjoy having responsibility and managing my own caseload... doing my home visits etc and I didn’t even mind the paper work! I just know that my mind is not ready to settle on social work yet. My mind is still very young and adventurous and wants to see more of the world before I make a commitment to the job.
So there you have it. I'm now 23 years old. A qualified social worker. In a meaningful loving relationship with a ridiculously clever guy I met on the first day of uni (how randomly lucky was that!) I'm 3 stone heavier... but whose counting! And I’m ready to embark on a new... different experience in CANADA with my mr Bean!!!
I will miss the people I’m leaving behind (you know who you are)... but especially (and worth mentioning) a certain Tall friend who is proving to be very brave whilst she deals with the adversities life is throwing her way at the moment.
But TC I’m thinking of you… I love you and good will be coming your way soon I’m sure.
I haven’t said much about the temporary job I was doing just recently. I won’t miss the job because it was hard work and the money was shit. But it was a good experience and there are a couple of individuals I will miss.
I haven't also mentioned the fabulous family Matt and I have been living with for the past 3-4 months. Grace, keep up the good job, you are lovely and so are your little gems.
Mum, dad and Phil... enjoy the next year without me. At least there will be more food to go around on Christmas day!
Anywho… please keep checking my blog, I’m going to make a real effort to update it as I go.
Love to everyone x x x x x x x x x x x
