Franglo

Week three of my new job and I am starting to settle into my new reality of commuting back and forth to work which takes up 2 hours of the day. I made the decision at the end of the week to take the later train which starts from our local station. I am willing to walk a bit further and wait in my car a few more minutes, to ensure I get a seat for the ride. My commute then becomes a productive time, where I can take time to read and maximize my productivity instead of learning how to be a sardine amongst the other “fish” being crammed into a tin can. I also arrive at work in a much better mood. Still figuring out what this looks like on the way home, there must be a magic time or a magic train where I can replicate my morning commute.

Saturday, began my French Conversation classes which take up seven hours of my Sunday, 2 hours commuting and 5 hours in class. This adds an additional mental challenge along with homework each week. Saturday was bitterly cold another -30 day but managed to find the subway, park and get to school. The heaters in the classroom were working double time, but Starbucks is thankfully just across the street allowing for coffee to be procured before the start of class.

Also learning how to balance life on the weekends we have the kids, this weekend was one of those occasions. My poor s, three kids with different activities and me trying to learn a language makes for a lot of coordination. Both of us by the end of the day are exhausted, I am sure over time we will be better able to work with the crazy.

Sunday, saw temperatures at -35, with an accumulation of 20 centimetres of blowing snow and travel advisories to stay home. Running errands was unpleasant, to say the least on Sunday but got to practice driving in a storm. I don’t even think Polar Bears were happy on Sunday. No these lovely creatures do not freely roam the streets of Montreal.

I have my nutrition under control spending a significant part of Sunday cooking my meals for the week, ensuring that I will make healthy choices during the week. I need to figure out when I am going to work out, I think this is going to be one of the more difficult things to fit in.

Next week, I will start living in Gatineau part time which will have me commuting out on Monday mornings and back on Thursday evenings. I am hopeful that the bus ride into the city on Tuesday and Wednesday will be shorter and provide me with an opportunity to read. As I ramp up, maybe Thursday become conference calls or podcasts on the way home. Let’s be honest my 6 am Monday commute is going to involve coffee and waking up.