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 :)