I have so many figurative balls in the air right now that I have no idea what direction I will end up taking.
I'm constantly aware of the phrase (or paraphrase) "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." I make the most of what I have and I appreciate that what is happening to me right now is a direct cause of decisions I have made, forks in the road I've taken and (I believe) a healthy dose of luck/karma/hard work paying off.
I came to Canada in 2011, ostensibly to work for the summer. That summer ended up being two years. That two years ended up being applying for permanent residency. When I arrived, I literally had no plans for after that summer. I flew out here blind, as it were, and had decided that fate would sort me out. Well, it did. The only problem is being here, on this continent, there are endless possibilities. It's America, y'all. The land of the free and the home of the brave.
Living in Canada is a postcode for me. I reside here, sure, but my heart is over the border. Just about everything I ever thought I would want or search for, I'm almost certain I have found in the US. That seems crazy, because I'm pretty English. Iused to have that sense of superiority about our food, our music, our attutude, our beer, sport and comedy. Typical of people who've never been here, or have never really engaged with the States.
But now? Now I'm hopelessly in love. I know more about American politics than I ever cared to find out about in my own country, even though I voted in the last election. I care more about the struggle for gay rights happening here and Obamacare, because the backdrop in England is now such a depressing mix of (apparent, I realise there is still plenty to struggle for) taken for granted tolerance and the government ripping apart the National Health Service. I feel like the USA has a chance to actually become its own hype. People my age are moving in the right direction.
Maybe I'm a traitor, but I've been seduced. It started in Boston 7 years ago, was fueled by the rest of New England and sealed with New York's startling charms last month.
I study baseball and football like they're school subjects. I listen to classic rock stations and they play enough Queen, Rod Stewart and Clapton to keep me happy. I've discovered many of Vermont's microbreweries and particularly Woodchuck Cider to keep my hipster drink jones satisfied. I've been to the Maine coast and eaten lobster next to the harbour it was caught from. I've lost myself in improv and sketch comedy, happily becoming aware of the links between the US and UK scenes.
Most importantly? I once dreamed of riding western, cowboy hat, chaps and spurs, demystifying those shank bits, settling in the comfort of the saddle, having that connection with a horse through the lightest of touches in its mouth. Moving cattle around, learning pivots and sliding stops from a simple 'whoa'.
Bonfires and beers, tailgates, starlit nights, crickets singing, barbecues and dances, dusty roads and sweet mown hay.
I have that and it's a good life. I'm very grateful that I can balance my training with my other interests. I'm lucky indeed.
I'm constantly aware of the phrase (or paraphrase) "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans." I make the most of what I have and I appreciate that what is happening to me right now is a direct cause of decisions I have made, forks in the road I've taken and (I believe) a healthy dose of luck/karma/hard work paying off.
I came to Canada in 2011, ostensibly to work for the summer. That summer ended up being two years. That two years ended up being applying for permanent residency. When I arrived, I literally had no plans for after that summer. I flew out here blind, as it were, and had decided that fate would sort me out. Well, it did. The only problem is being here, on this continent, there are endless possibilities. It's America, y'all. The land of the free and the home of the brave.
Living in Canada is a postcode for me. I reside here, sure, but my heart is over the border. Just about everything I ever thought I would want or search for, I'm almost certain I have found in the US. That seems crazy, because I'm pretty English. I
But now? Now I'm hopelessly in love. I know more about American politics than I ever cared to find out about in my own country, even though I voted in the last election. I care more about the struggle for gay rights happening here and Obamacare, because the backdrop in England is now such a depressing mix of (apparent, I realise there is still plenty to struggle for) taken for granted tolerance and the government ripping apart the National Health Service. I feel like the USA has a chance to actually become its own hype. People my age are moving in the right direction.
Maybe I'm a traitor, but I've been seduced. It started in Boston 7 years ago, was fueled by the rest of New England and sealed with New York's startling charms last month.
I study baseball and football like they're school subjects. I listen to classic rock stations and they play enough Queen, Rod Stewart and Clapton to keep me happy. I've discovered many of Vermont's microbreweries and particularly Woodchuck Cider to keep my hipster drink jones satisfied. I've been to the Maine coast and eaten lobster next to the harbour it was caught from. I've lost myself in improv and sketch comedy, happily becoming aware of the links between the US and UK scenes.
Most importantly? I once dreamed of riding western, cowboy hat, chaps and spurs, demystifying those shank bits, settling in the comfort of the saddle, having that connection with a horse through the lightest of touches in its mouth. Moving cattle around, learning pivots and sliding stops from a simple 'whoa'.
Bonfires and beers, tailgates, starlit nights, crickets singing, barbecues and dances, dusty roads and sweet mown hay.
I have that and it's a good life. I'm very grateful that I can balance my training with my other interests. I'm lucky indeed.
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