a year in Canada

[jawnbc]

About a week ago marked one year since I returned to Canada permanently. Hawt husband in tow, just to make it more interesting. Nah, make that wonderful. And it's been a great year. I've reconnected with old friends, am taking advantage of Vancouver's amenities, and am even more resolute in my belief that Vancouver is My Perfect Place.

Some highlights:

-discovering I can live with querrelle in a 1BR suite and almost never ever feel crowded
-travel to NYC (4), Montréal & Québec City, Toronto (2), San Francisco, Edmonton, Ottawa, Whistler (2)
-relearning ice skating and advancing by leaps and bounds with rollerblading
-verifying that I'm marketable in terns of tenure-track academic jobs
-becoming directly involved in political work
-collaborating with community as a researcher
-Getting some work out for peer review
-Securing a wee bit of funding (emphasis on wee)
-eating better (especially more fish)

Some challenges:

-Ma's continued health problems
-getting my financial house in order
-missing Paul and (especially) mynumber1 Marko

Wish list for the next 1-2 years:

-continued marriage with querrelle
-more job security
-continued improved fitness (including skiiing and snowboarding)

I'm a very, very lucky man. I work hard, and I'm a good person too, but the universe is being very kind to me.

Comments

[alec9.livejournal.com]

I remember reading way back when about the thoughts you had about moving to Canada- and I am glad it has proved to be fruitful and rewarding.

I am impressed with your ability/effort at taking critical looks at your life with the purpose not merely of navel-gazing, but figuring out what you (may) want - and having the clarity to ask tough questions and coming up with good answers for yourself.

Life is full of surprises and the unexpected, but it seems to me you have carved for yourself a way of tackling, embracing, and purposeful dreaming that should stand you in good stead thru good and bad. Congrats on a good year.