Proximity and the Misconception of Closeness

Well, kids, she’s been a busy start to the school year- which is so strange to say when it’s almost March. My summer/Christmas break flew by; very parent filled.

I’m going to attempt to avoid rambling here, because I have one, clear focal point I want to address. 

That is the title of this blog: Proximity and the Misconception of Closeness. 

Although I’m 15000 kilometres from home, I don’t feel that my Canadian relationships have been detrimentally affected. In fact, with particular regard to my parents, they’ve actually further developed. If I were home, I doubt I would have gone on a four week vacation with my mom, let alone the 5 day trip to Cairns we did while she was here. I doubt I would have learned to surf with my dad on a three day trip and (attempt) to learn to surf off the coast of BC as we did in Tassie. 

The distance between us made this a priority.

The lack of distance creates this idea that there will always be time and an opportunity to do this later. Hence why plans with close friends can often be put on hold (it’s not just me is it?).  Distance can actually make you realise the value of your relationships and the fast pace of the hands of the clock.   The lessened opportunities to be together creates a greater urgency to solidify plans for these small windows of time.

Technology greatly minimises the effect of distance. I frequently Snapchat my homies from the motherland. I’ve Skyped my friends and family,  FaceTimed then, and even got to witness one of my bestest friends get married through the power of modern day technology. Thank god for wifi. 

Just as at home though, life is life and shit gets busy and times goes in. It’s nearly been a year since I’ve been here already!!! I like it here. I feel settled. I feel home? I type this as I’m wearing a Blue Jays hat 🧢 . So no, I’ll never forget my roots. I’m Canadian first and foremost- relentlessly and unapologetically. 

But, damn, do I not miss those winter months. I don’t even like the snowless, positive, single digit winters here.

SPOILER ALERT:

I’m currently looking at flights to visit home for a few weeks during Canadian summer/Australian winter ❄️. Whoop whoop! 

So, my lovely Canadian compadres, keep calendars open for the end of June/beginning of July. I’d love to seriously put away some of Caesars and Lab Lights with my Canada’s finest. 🇨🇦 

Side note: my school is sending me to China (on supervision) for two weeks mid June!! 🇨🇳 

Hang in there, Canada, summer is coming. Slowly, surely, eventually. This year, you might just get a side of Kate with your summer :) 

Here for a good time, maybe a long time?

Oh, well hi. I didn’t see you there. That’s why I’ve been ignoring this blog for half a year...

Now a lot has happened in this relatively short time period, so I will attempt to be concise and hit the major topics.

Fortunes, misfortunes, travel, and relationships 

Fortunes 

What can I say? I’m over the moon with the amount of good fortune I’ve stumbled upon.

 First, I was in the right place at the right time and managed to get a term position teaching math and science at a prestigious school called Haileybury. The school has a lot to offer, but I’m particularly fond of all the free food. Seriously, school start up days you get a morning tea buffet and lunch. Parent-teacher interviews, we get dinner. It’s real nice, if I do say so myself.

Second, the school was a fair distance from my home at that point, therefore, I decided to move. The complex that I moved into is filled with like minded misfits.

What a bunch of ragamuffins 

We hit the piss, take in sunsets, indulge in late night chats, and cook big, sexy meals together. Sometimes you just gel with people.

I knew that I was going to want to stay longer. I was only just settling in. At the start of October, I began chucking resumes to anywhere that seemed somewhat suitable. In order for me to extend my visa, I would need to acquire sponsorship. Not easy to do among schools where you have little to no reputation. I had four interviews. Was offered three positions with sponsorship and CRT work at a school that didn’t provide sponsorship. Interviews are my jam, as I arrogantly proclaimed in my Snapchat story of the day. I don’t know what it is, but I’ve always been good at interviews. One of the positions offered was at the school I’m currently working! The choice was easy. 

I get to wear gowns like Harry Potter!

Sponsorship means a fast tracked (and cheaper) path to obtaining permission to stay in the country longer. Had I not received sponsorship, I would have had to pursue my second visa on a point based system and covered all costs on my own (minimum $4000). Or I could have worked 88 days at a farm for some reason. I don’t quite understand why Australia has the farm work requirement for those looking to obtain a second visa, but they do. I’m just not good with those types of jobs. I sorted potatoes when I was twelve or so and absolutely hated it. I got SO bored. Dodged a bullet there.

Misfortunes

Well, I had my phone stolen off me when I fell asleep on the train. I fell asleep (passed out) and someone stole my phone out of my hand during and hour long train ride home after a night out (sorry, Amber). But now I have a way better phone.

I might have been fed during parent teach interview, but i also was riding public transport. So it’s 9:00 pm and I’ve been fed and bailed my PT interview- the bus is right on schedule. I stand outside with my out stretched arm, flailing, in order to obtain the attention of the his driver, only to watch him drive by me with an empty bus. 

So I wait 25 minutes for the his, which picks me up. This bus gets me to the train station. Just in time for me to miss the train and wait half an hour for the next one. 

A half hour trip ended up lasting an hour and a half. 

All in all nothing too to gripe about. 

Long story short. I don’t know how long I will be here, but life has been good. 

Could be a while...