Away I go! And hello to you. Most of you reading this will already know that I am embarking on a year of taking off to the world, a dream of mine for quite some time. All packed up, leaving my home in Vancouver and life as I've known it behind for a little while. Where I will go, I dunno?!
At the rate I’m going, I may never leave Canada, which may not necessarily be all that bad, it’s a big, beautiful country that I’m proudly fond of. But I’m feeling slightly more exotic. I’m on round #2 of trying to fly off to London, easing in to the exoticism, for New Year's Eve . With my flight to YYZ cancelled yesterday, and my rebooked flight to London cancelled today, my flying fate is in the hands of Mother Nature and aircraft maintenance (the airplane I was scheduled to be on yesterday apparently had a blown out engine, grounding it at Gatwick today. Yikes! Maybe a good thing I wasn’t on that flight afterall). Having just de-iced at the onset of my milk-run re-routing, and as I write this, we have just been informed that we will be grounded waiting on the tarmac in Ottawa for at least 50 minutes, as Toronto has put a stop on all new aircraft coming in due to weather. Oh, the joys of holiday flying! Needless to say, I’m extra grateful to not be working, and thankful to those who are.
My journey hasn’t just begun. Along with my second attempt at flying away, I’m on my second leg.
It all began on Christmas Eve, in my hometown of Ottawa, spent with the ones I hold nearest and dearest. Feeling jolly from the moment I arrived, mostly due to the contagious joy emanating from my magical 3 and 5 year old nieces, Mina and Jojo. For a moment, they took me out of my post redeye stupor, tackling me with giggles and hugs as I stepped off the escalator in the Ottawa arrivals hall. After a quick nap, my visit officially began as we seized the snow and went tobagganing. Lil’ Linny came out in full force feeling like a little kid all over again. Having little to zero control over my sled, with snow dousing my face and finding it’s way through my many layers chilling my back, I was so happy playing with my family, I felt my heart may burst outta my chest. Then came Christmas and the insanely cold weather. But with no fret, as we were toasty and warm, furnace free( !! all the while being -30 deg temps outside !! ) inside my sister, Meg, and bro-in-law, Mark’s, beautiful home/Passive house. We shared many delicious and indulgent, tight-jean-making-meals(what would the holidays be without?!), sing-a-long movies, followed by pyjama dance parties, unicorn frolics, snuggles, a disjointed elbow, and lots and lots of love. It was the most wonderful white Christmas, just like the ones Bing Crosby dreamt of.
Then I had to say goodbye. Then goodbye again. For what may be a year without squeezing those sparkly little girls. Sigh. Me, oh my, and goodbyes. They don’t come easy.
And once again, hello to you, this blog, and my new reality for the next year. This blog is coming along much later than I intended, being caught up in my pre-departure prep, working, christmas-ing, and living my day-to day. Second, third and sixteenth guessing whether or not I really want to keep a blog, I’m going for it, if only just for myself, to have something to reflect back on in my years to come.
Happy happy happy New Year! I have a feeling 2018 is gonna be a good one.
Update: I made it to Amsterdam! One more flight to go.
Update 2: Phew, I’m in London! Jess spoiled me with a driver, making it easy to get to hers and Tim’s (sister and brother-in-law) home, where I’m now pooped as can be, attempting some rest before their party begins.