i want to go to there

Autumn has come to London in full force. It's officially sweater and tight weather again. And it's reminding me of winter. Which, therefore, reminds me that I'm not going back to Victoria for Christmas this year. I'm a little homesick, so today, I want to go to there.

My image taken during Christmas 2008. It was snowy fabulousness.

christmas already?

well due to airmiles and overplanning - L2 and I have already booked our trip back to Canada at Christmas. That's right - 9 months in advance. We're keen?!? It'll be two weeks of snow, cold, gingerbread and merriment. I have to say it will take a while to sink in that our flight is already booked as the return flight definitely had 2010 written in it.... At least I know I'll get off this island and onto a different continent at least once this year.

dreaming of a canadian vacation

As one does, you dream of home when you feel under the weather. Been-seen recently blogged about Wickannish Inn in Tofino.

I was lucky that almost two years ago my brother and now wife opted for a small wedding in this fantastic little village. I want to go back. I should be thinking of going to the south of France or something exotic but I just want fish and surfing.

Images via my sister-in-law's facebook. Above - the hotel that we stayed in (actually we stayed in a whole bunch of little cottages behind the place which was fantastic) Below - a four generation photo (my brother, dad, nana and my adorable nephew)

adjusting

so after a few days in travel, L2 and I had a period of adjustment mainly with the cold and the snow. Growing up in the Pacific northwest, snow was on the mountains - not in my backyard and never in Victoria. People are laughing at the palm trees that are covered in snow (number 9).

Needless to say after one of the snowiest months on record, we have a foot of snow, there is decidely no golfing this year and rolling luggage in unpaved snow is like putting three grown men onto a sled and saying of course I can carry you all up the hill. HA

But the snow brings some wonderful pictures for later including snow on the beach, snow on the evergreens, a border collie romping around and the best of all - senior citizen driving is at an all-time low.

Image via

canadianism

a random canadianism was noted today. English do not use the word 'kitty corner'. Anyone know where that came from?

Ex. the Gap is kitty corner to the starbucks (aka diagonal).

Image via etsy - isn't that adorable?!?

transient population

as cliched as it sounds - London is the city of change. With the working visa available to Canadians, Kiwis and Aussies and the more open work policies of the EU, you get a lot of people coming in - and a lot of people leaving. Recently, one of my friends was unable to extend her holiday visa and is picking up to go home at Christmas (she is going kicking and screaming) and several others are in the same boat. It's a fine line of enjoying as much of Europe as you can while still making enough to live and secure work sponsorship or the more elusive highly skilled visa.

It makes me happy to have my passport and that I can come and go as I please. I do get sad when other Canadians leave though - it really is hard to find perma friends. But as one leaves, I'm introduced to about eight new Canadians in the city. We seem to be a tight bunch.

Image via

the ways I miss Canada......

coming up to one year overseas and eight months since I was last in Canada and I'm pining away for many-a-thing. Some material, some people and some scenery.

1. the one time i love ontario is the fall. i could definitely leave all the other seasons but the gatineaus in the fall are stunning. i miss red, orange and yellow.
2. the mountains of bc. need I say more.
3. sun. it's been grey since I returned from Switzerland. Even four days of grey (but no rain) and no change gets me down.
4. joe fresh. club monaco. banana republic sales and affordable matt and nat. paying £100 for a $100 bag is not the right decision. (see below for coveted bag and coveted joe fresh outfit)
5. family and friends. ones that have known me for years. not just months. it is good here, it's just not the network that you build up after living in a place for years. and i had no school to immediately introduce to tons of people my age from all backgrounds. i miss that.
6. hershey chocolate sauce. don't ask - it's like my canadian peanut butter.
7. access to lululemon and other sports/hiking attire at my fingertips
8. a house perfectly decorated and feels like a home. I hate not having things on a wall. it's so bland and empty. and I desperately miss colour. and affordable rent.
9. going outside in baggy jeans and a tee and apparently being well dressed.
10. a relatively absent class system. don't knock canada till you've come here.... i've never met judgers that really go above and beyond any reasonable thought.