Home for real

With work resuming tomorrow, my month of wandering is now truly at an end.

Many thanks to all those who hosted me: Meaghan in Hamilton; my aunt, uncle, and cousins in Bennington; and my cousins and Tristan in Toronto. My appreciation also goes out to all the friends and family I was lucky enough to see over that span.

With my life returning to a state of greater regularity, people can expect more regular updates here, with photos from the various journeys forthcoming.

All told, my time away has reinforced my desire to move to Toronto – or at least away from Ottawa.

Author: Milan

In the spring of 2005, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations and a general focus in the area of environmental politics. In the fall of 2005, I began reading for an M.Phil in IR at Wadham College, Oxford. Outside school, I am very interested in photography, writing, and the outdoors. I am writing this blog to keep in touch with friends and family around the world, provide a more personal view of graduate student life in Oxford, and pass on some lessons I've learned here.

7 thoughts on “Home for real”

  2. Be mindful of what is driving you from Ottawa. For me, I thought it was the city. It turns out it was the Employer, and absence from the city has made the heart grow fonder. Though absence from the employer is still a reason for rejoicing.

    At least Toronto will have less snow, better public transit, and other truly redeeming features, if not a real hockey team.

    Good luck with your next steps.

  3. Actually, I think ‘The Employer’ is the best thing about Ottawa. If this wasn’t the only place in Canada certain kinds of work could be done, I think few would choose to live here.

  4. I would never use the term ‘best’ for The Employer. Sure, they create lots of opportunities and overpay those of us at the beginning of our careers, but they also stifle creativity and crush spirits. They often reward those that don’t aspire to anything other than getting the next level. The best managers I had left.

    That said, they attract many gifted (if perhaps naïve) young people.

    Ottawa has more to offer, when you compare it to many cities in Canada. I wouldn’t have moved to Edmonton, Calgary or Winnipeg – I can’t see those cities matching it (and yet here I find myself in Prince George – definitely a career move).

    On your decision to move to Toronto, I concur. While there are benefits that come from being able to drive to a ski hill for an evening ski or bike to Gatineau Park in 20 minutes from downtown (and stop in at Marché Omni to pick up some incredible Québec microbrews on the way home), the quality of life package that can be found in Toronto can compensate for this.

  5. For me, the biggest problem with Ottawa may be how small and tightly meshed the social scene is. Everybody knows everybody, and it feels like everyone is always keeping an eye on you.

    The longer you live here, the harder it is to meet someone really new, or get to know someone entirely on the basis of their actions.

  6. Also, while the perks are nice, the real appeal of The Employer is the hope of making a difference. That does seem to be possible, but only in very small ways.

  7. Best for the planning and for changes in your life. Fantastic amenities are all very well but if you’re a fairly sociable person they can’t provide all they seem to offer when people aren’t available to share the experiences with.

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