I’m Homeless, but I’m Happy

Where am I going to live upon arrival? That is the ultimate question everyone seems to be seeking an answer too – my parents, my friends, my coworkers and obviously myself.  The answer is simple – I dunno.

I have spent countless hours searching countless sites for places to live in London.  But truth be told – it really doesn’t matter! It’s not like I can drive over and look at the place to see if I like it.  I can’t really reserve it either since I’d have to pay a months rent without even living there  - I arrive Jan 15th, 2009.  Also, I want to find a job first, so that I can narrow my search options around it.  So, the reality is – I’m homeless. And?

I’m still happy!

I get to go on this great adventure I know I’ll never forget! I’m not necessarily worried about finding a place – I know I will.  A hostel will suffice in the meantime.  Living in a hostel for a week or so will be more than enough motivation to help me find a place faster! They aint cheap!

I understand why everyone is worried – especially my folks – having to send their youngest daughter away to a foreign country, jobless, homeless and friendless.  I even understand the curious/crazy looks I get from friends when I tell them I have no idea where I will be living or working.  The point is I know I WILL be working, and most of all I WILL be living.

Reality Bites

Good news.  I’m alive.  

Bad news.  It’s all starting to sink in.

The honeymoon period of my love affair with England has ended, sort of.  It’s all starting to sink in.  The fact that I may not be making snow angels this winter, and the fact that my mom will not be brining over home made food when my fridge runs dry.  

I purchased a one-way, non-refundable ticket to London, England for January 14th, 2009.  I’m going.  There’s no turning back, and I’m scared.  The reason I have not updated my blog in the past weeks, or even read other people’s blogs, is because I’m a wuss.  I didn’t want to read about other people’s adventures while I sit curled up in the corner of my room breathing into a paper bag.

The fact is, I’ve bought my ticket, I’ve bought my travel insurance, I’ve bought my travel backpack (a Deuter – thank you Barry for your help), my rain jacket, my visa and in return I’ve sold my sanity.  I remember being so excited for this trip, and I know somewhere deep inside I still really am, but it’s being clouded by fears and anxiety.  Reality – I won’t have a job.  I won’t have a place to live.  However, despite all of that, I STILL somehow know that it is the right decision for me to make.

Anyways, enough with that.  Now you all know why I have ignored you all for the past few weeks.  Now I promise that I will spend the next few hours sitting on my computer updating myself on all your blogs and adventures.  Before I ramble on further about my past few weeks I would like to give a BIG shout out to Matt from Nomadic Matt’s Travel Site (you know why buddy, and p.s. we won)

So, what have I been doing the past couple of weeks? Working. Sleeping. Spending money I don’t have (another thing that makes me anxious). Watching WAAAAY too much Battlestar Galactica (don’t diss it if you haven’t watched it…the show is liquid cocaine). Catching up with friends.  And that pretty much sums it up.  Not a bad gig.

My best friend is now home from South Korea.  Unfortunately, for me anyways, she is leaving again in December for a long time.  She loves it there, and I don’t blame her.  On the bright side, the tickets to Seoul from London are cheaper than from Toronto.  

Thank you all for checking in on me! I’m alive, and I plan on being a better blogger.  I promise.  I just need to get to England so something exciting will happen

Top 5 Things To Do In Dundas, Ontario

In a population of 20,000, where half of the land is farmland, and everyone knows everyone else on a first name basis, it becomes unusually difficult to find something exciting to do. So, I went on a hunt. I figured I’m going to be here for ~4months, so I may as well make the most of it. In Toronto there was constantly something new going on, always a festival of some sort – you never really had to go and seek fun out by yourself, it would usually find you. In Dundas, this is not the case.

Here are some of the “fun” things that I could possibly do while living in Dundas:

1. Go Skydiving

• How could I not have thought of this before? Just over the highway we have a skydiving school! Swoop is it’s name. I have always wanted to go skydiving. I even came really close to it one time for my 22nd birthday – but then I chickened out. I haven’t even signed up for it, but just sitting here writing about it is actually making me nervous. Could it be any worse than dropping your whole life and moving to England? About on par I’d say. I’m in.

2. Hike the Dundas Valley Trails

• As much as I hate on Dundas all the time, I must admit; it is beautiful. The escarpment is pretty much right in my back yard and there are a million hiking and cycling trails all throughout the town. After falling off my bike and injuring myself pretty badly one year (I also developed an allergy to band aids after my fall – go figure), I’ve been kind of cautious to go biking through the same rough trails. Again, could it be any worse than dropping your whole life and moving to England? I’m in.

3. Dundas Cactus Festival

• Although this is something you can only do once a year, I am lucky that I am going to be in town when this festival is going on. 2 weeks from now, “downtown” Dundas will be transformed into a major carnival with rides, games, buskers, trinket sellers and all the beaver tails you could possibly inhale. The Cactus is the official symbol of Dundas – why you ask? I have no idea, since I have never even seen said cactus in Dundas. Cactus Fest is really a big high school reunion for me – it will be great to see old friends at the one local bar (where we will mostly likely than not all pack in like sardines and drink like the fish we are), and which coincidently is named “The Thirsty Cactus.” I’m in.

4. Golf

• To be honest, I’m not a golfer. I would be lying if I said I was even a mini putter. I have absolutely no patience for this sport. (Is it a sport?) I end up getting so frustrated, that I resort to my humble European upbringing and end up kicking the golf ball, soccer-style, into the hole. With that said, Dundas actually has some ridiculously nice golf courses. One being right in my backyard. When I was younger, I used to hop the fence and steal the golf balls people would leave behind. So, instead of playing golf, I plan on going back to my childhood roots, gathering up some of my old “peeps” (perhaps I can scout them out at the Cactus Fest), and hop this fence once again. Sweet! I’m in.

5. Carnegie Gallery

• Hmmm. I have not once stepped foot in this beautiful Gallery. Of this, I am ashamed. I have driven past it many times, wondering what was inside, never daring to actually go in. I always felt a little out of place in these types of settings. I had a hard time imaging myself as an “art connoisseur.” I think I’ve become a lot of things that I never thought I was, or never thought I’d become. I think it’s about time to step inside and take a look. I’m in.