Franglo

In 2002 I embarked on the biggest adventure of my life, moving across the country for the first time to the big city of Toronto.  I had lived in Vancouver all of my life, close to family and led a fairly sheltered life.  Love or at least that what I thought it was gave me the courage to pick up and move across the country.  I did not have a job but did have a place to live and so the journey began.  The relationship lasted a maybe week after I arrived, but I decided to stay as all my belongings were still on train being transported across the country.  I found a job, got settled and started to embark on this next adventure. I truly believe that everyone comes into your life for a reason; so I would like to thank this individual for giving me the courage to start a new chapter.

Toronto made me into the woman that I am today. The city embraced me and pushed me outside of my comfort zone including investing in real estate as a single woman, multiple career advancements and the confidence to travel the world alone.

I refer to the next ten years as my “Sex in the City” years where I found my inner superhero;  I did not need a man to take care of me I could take care of myself. These years were filled with fabulous parties, restaurants, night clubs and the creation of a network of amazing friends who shared these experiences with me. When you live in a city devoid of genetic relations you create family and I am truly blessed to have my Toronto family.  I do love you all.

In 2011 being in a relationship may have helped when I was part of re-org at a large telecommunications company. My job was so much more than a job; I realized I had tied my identity and self-worth to what I did for a living. This was a time of searching to figure out who I really was and I made the decision if I was going to be able to hold onto the condo, I need to leave the city for a while.

Hello, Northern Alberta.  This life detour allowed me to spend time with my sister and the kids. I knew I could find a job, probably not a career but I had been accepted into Royal Roads to do an Executive MBA. I knew this stop would be a short one while I worked on getting my career back on track.  This time in my life was a bit crazy and exhausting but it was filled with so much knowledge and love. I was able to re-connect with family and watch my nieces grow up, all while embarking on the life changing experience of my MBA.  School finished it was time to move on.

Hello, Vancouver.  I had managed to get my career back on track and took a regional marketing manager role for Western Canada which allowed me to move.  The lifestyle and beauty of Vancouver was diminished by cost of living, insane work and travel schedule and most of all I missed my Toronto family.  The city I had known as a child, did not feel the same anymore. I spent a year and half in Vancouver and love the lifestyle, the natural beauty and reconnecting with my extended family. I was able to connect with friends from twenty years ago but it was time to go home. In the fall of 2014 I moved back to Vancouver.  And if you read the previous post you know what happens next.

Toronto, thank you for making me into the strong woman I am today.  I know everyone see you as a big ugly city with a population that believes they are the centre of the universe. To me you are one of the most diverse places I have ever known and so incredibly welcoming to newcomers.  You have so much hidden natural beauty that no one ever explores and this is balanced by a vibrant restaurant and theater community.  So this is not good-bye, this is until next time.