Today was my lone day off this week. But I don't mind. It means that I am going to enjoy a three+ day weekend without any guilt whatsoever that I should be working. The joys of scheduling one's one schedule... mmmm.
Today I enjoyed a cup of coffee in my french press. Reading some blogs online. Reading a book. Running in the crisp fall air. Having a friend over for lunch. Slow-cooker roast beef. Fresh rye bread with apple butter. Baking dark-chocolate-speckled (it's different than regular old chocolate chip) cookies. Oatmeal for breakfast with my husband. 'Twas good. And the best way to spend a day off. Even got a bit of journal writing in there.
Today as I was running I was thinking about the benefits of embracing a place for what it is. I have fought hard with St. John's at times. It's not an easy place to live. It's isolated from much of the rest of Canada. It's small, and quirky, and sometimes, a bit 'behind'. People here are fiercely proud of their provincial identity, far more so than their national one. Once a come-from-away, always- I will always be a mainlander. People will always be expecting me to leave here at some point. And the truth is, I most likely will. Brian and I will pack up sometime and move off this rugged rock.
But for now, I can say with a fair degree of confidence that this will be home for at least the next three years. Brian is beginning his doctorate... (that sounds even more impressive than PhD, I think). So we are here for a bit. I want to be supportive of him, following his dream and pursuing excellence in his field- because I know he really has the capacity to do so, and this is the place to do it for now.
I want to become rooted. Settled in this little one-room (almost) apartment. Invested in people here. Cultivating friendships (I've been making a fierce effort to do so and it has already paid off). Fighting the dark nights that sometimes drift over my mind.. you know, those days when you just feel kinda... sad. Finding hobbies and passions. For one, knitting. A friend is dropping off some knitting books tonight- I want to be able to create more than a simple scarf. Photography-- an SLR camera is in the work (oooh, the pics on the blog- I can just see it). Writing- just little things. Baking and cooking and running.
The one I love is home from work. Will write more later...
3 comments:
i totally understand what you mean... the difference being that everyone in goose bay is a come from away that moved here and stayed forever - so i have been told by everyone that this is where i will be forever.
i'm already ready for a break sometimes... but i'm almost called to your rugged rock - probably because for me it is something largely unexplored. someday i'll get there... i was hoping to convince myself to make it this weekend... but i'm saving money for other fun things - so it'll come at some point :)
I love your blog Jen. You should write a book!!!
I love this post. Glad to hear that you are growing more and more roots. Miss you!
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