Debanter

Little differences, big impact

Well, I’m here now. I’ve been back in Canada for forty-eight hours exactly and it’s a large slice of wonderful, let me tell you. Now, that’s not to say there aren’t things I’m missing. I got to know some incredible people while down in California and it would all be much easier if you could just collect people you grow to love and take them with you everywhere. Yes, this is the idealistic dream of a girl who’s traipsed across a number of states and one token Canadian province.

The same sense that Toronto is not that much different while being at the same time a world apart from the typical American lifestyle consumes me. Minor details, such as the signature Canadian driver I’m-cutting-in-front-of-you-hope-you-don’t-mind wave out the back window, french translations on packaging, and the brisk air whipping across my cheek make me feel back at home. A million memories come to mind with every crunch of the snow. I love it here - while we may not be here forever, now is certainly the right time.

My notes might be sporadic while we get settled and I adjust to life as a telecommuter. Which is really code for I’ll probably be too distracted watching the kitties follow the falling snowflakes with their round, wondering eyes. Every little difference is a delight and I’m relishing every bit of it.

Posted in Life, Moving, Toronto | 4 Comments »

Wrap. Pack. Tape. Repeat.

As planned for a little while now, but not “announced” until yesterday, Adam and I are moving back to Toronto in a few short weeks. A small handful of people knew and most people were surprised - I hate being secretive, but sometimes it’s better to be cautious until you know exactly what’s going to happen.

Now we’re here. Twenty boxes are neatly packed and stacked…ready for transport. And we haven’t even met with the moving company yet. You might be wondering why - seriously? three weeks…packing? seriously?

Yep. Heard that one. Multiple times, from many different people in a variety of time zones.

But here’s the thing - while I usually don’t start packing for a short trip or vacation until the last possible second, moving is a whole different thing for me. It requires planning. Strategy. And (fortunately for Adam) complete control over the process.

Each room gets a color. Each box gets a number. Contents are listed beside each number (and box size) on a sheet of paper.

Are you scared yet?

I take a tremendous amount of pride in knowing how to pack a box. The skill of semi-inconspicuously stuffing every last personal belonging owned by six year old me under my bed comes in handy during an international relocation.

So away we pack…the bitter cold of Toronto awaits us as we slowly start to say goodbye to the sunny south.

Some are taking extra precautions that they aren’t left behind.

(What is with this cat, laundry and being so cute I can’t help but take a photo?)

Posted in Life, Moving | 7 Comments »

After much consideration

Instead of going into a long discussion about the variety of feelings
I’ve got circulating in my heart right now about everything…

Here’s a slideshow.

NOTE - the following is highly sentimental. Those who might start
tearing up (you know who you are) might want to just rest assured that I care, and move on.

Read the rest of this entry »

Posted in Moving, Personal, Toronto | 3 Comments »

Really? I mean…really?

"Hi my name is ______, I wrote you back about the apartment…"

"Oh right, hi! How are you doing?"

"Great, thanks. I just wanted to set up a time to stop by and see the house..where are you located?"

"Um, actually it’s an apartment..two bedrooms…"

"Oh, of course…right, yes…how do I get there?"

"Well, we’re on __________, so you go to ______ and - do you know Aurora well?"

"Oh. <pause> You’re in Aurora?"

"Uh..yeeeeah, in the advertisement it shows that we’re on Yonge street, in Aurora…there’s a Google map link?"

"Huh…yeah, I didn’t look at the map, I just saw you were on _______. Sorry!"

"That’s okay, bye.." <I suppose the mention of ‘Aurora’ THRICE in the advertisement was *also* overlooked…SIGH>

Posted in Moving, Personal, Random, Toronto | No Comments »

What to do, what to do

So, I’ve been trying to figure out how to work Debanter into the next few crazy weeks. Many people we’ve told, not everyone knows however…so this could be news to you. At the end of April, we’re packing up and heading south (and west) to Los Angeles. Things are moving quickly, and in between finishing school, packing, finding a place to live, and getting a little work done, I’d like to blog about something.

So, I guess it will be about the move.

I suppose this could go many ways, but what I’m hoping is that the things I learn along the way will help others who maybe are thinking about making the same sort of big change in their life. Moving is a big deal (well, that statement actually lies on a continuum, depending on yoru experience with the whole concept/process). An even bigger deal is moving internationally. And with pets. In a uHaul.

Yeah, I thikn there might be some blog entries somewhere in there…

Although I consider Toronto to be my home, I am originally from the U.S., so moving down there is less of a hassle for me. Adam, on the other hand has a few trials/hoops he has to complete before he wil be able to legally enter and work. Thus, his job in the next four weeks is to make himself border-ready. Me, well, I’ll be completing my degree (one class done today!) and getting the actual moving of stuff and pets prepared.

As we learn this stuff along the way, I’m hoping that this little segment in my blog’s history becomes something that Adam and I can look back on fondly. Either that or we’ll delete this section entirely (metephorically, of course) from our minds. We’ll see.

In any case, this will be a nice spot to relax and reflect as we work our way toward the biggest adventure our lives, relationship and careers have taken. Should be interesting, to say the least.

Posted in Blogging, L.A., Moving, Personal | No Comments »