Warning: Utopian-Like Post

Well, I've been living in Vancouver for three weeks now, and...well...it feels like paradise! Basically, I have been setting up our new apartment, getting to know the neighbourhood and bus system, and job searching. I know this is not real life, yet. The weather has been fabulous - it's only rained once since I've been here - otherwise, it's been sunshine and heat, and walking my dog down to the beach every day. I've been able to stay in contact with my husband, and friends and family through facetime & skype, which has kept the homesickness at bay. Also, I've met some new friends, been for some coffees, chatted with my neighbours, connected with fellow-newcomers, and went to an art class a couple of times. Life is sweet!

I am actually looking for work in the addictions field again. Those of you who know me may be surprised by that, but those of you who know me well know what a difficult year this past one has been for TJ and I. All I can say is it's changed my perspective, and I feel a renewed interest and passion to work with people with addictions again. I realize the skill and experience I have, too, and I don't want to waste that. I want to help.

One of the lovely people I've met here (who is unfortunately moving away tomorrow) has been helpful in my job searching by setting me up to meet some people who work on the downtown east side. So I took the bus downtown one sunny, late morning, and it was really great to watch them work, and to be able to ask them questions. I was talking to someone just yesterday who said the downtown east side really is it's own little world, and I really felt that when I got back to my neighbourhood that day - what a difference. I know this might sound odd, but I felt the sense of community, when I went to the east side, stronger than in my own community. I guess when people are faced with so many barriers, it neccessitates a stronger community. I'm not saying this with naivette, but I'm just acknowledging something good. There is a lot the average person does not know about street life.

So, while my neighbourhood seems mostly sunshine (at least for now!) and roses, I know I'm not totally right to paint it with that brush, either. There are people with problems and addictions in every neighbourhood. I like that perspective. I like knowing that life always has hard things, life always has some grit (some people get way more than others, though). Without any grit, we would never grow, we would not have any substance or depth as people. I like knowing that we can take those hard things in life and learn that we are not invincible, we are not islands, but we may be stronger and have more resources than we think. That was pretty random! Just some thoughts!!