Tuesday 23 September 2014

The First Day of School!

Finally! After five, almost six long months, I returned back to school today - and back to a routine!

Note: my bed is still made! This is an Orange Canadian record!
Surprisingly, my nerves were not as bad as I'd have assumed. Perhaps this is because I was just super pumped to be doing something productive once again! And folks, let me tell you...it did not disappoint!

There are some pretty big differences between what I'm used to in Canadian institutions, and what I'm seeing here. The first major one is the amount of reading. What I'd normally be tasked to read in one semester is basically what we're required to read for each lecture. Secondly, lecture theatres were built for people 5 feet and under... And, third, those lecture theatres are far bigger than any I've sat in back home! One similarity I have noticed after this one lecture, however, is that I'm still old enough to be most of the students' moms...if I gave birth at the age of 12.

Anyway, one down, three more to go! If I can survive this week, I can certainly get through the next 11 and 3/4 months!

Yeah, it's blurry - I was excited. What are you gonna do about it?! 
-the Orange Canadian

Sunday 21 September 2014

"27"

Prior to a much-needed Skype chat with a friend from home who is also living abroad, I'd spent the majority of my weekend in my room...by myself.

For those of you who do not know me well, I suffer greatly from issues of anxiety, particularly of the social variety. Sure, I'm energetic and friendly, but it sometimes takes a lot of pep talking to get me to leave my room/house. Now, to be fair, while this played a significant role in me not exploring my new city, it was more so the result of having to read a mixture 50+ articles and books to prepare for classes this week.

Anyway, the point of divulging this personal information about myself, was to note that although I should have been reading, I actually spent a good majority of time laying in bed (over)thinking. I've had a lot of changes in the last year and a half, with a handful of them happening in a relatively short period of time. I'm realizing now, that the 'survival mode' I've been living in over the last while since my Mom died is fading away pretty quickly. I miss her. And, one of the hardest parts about getting on the plane to England was knowing she wasn't coming along with me. You see, had she still been alive, she'd have likely accompanied me to help me get settled. I felt robbed of this experience. Heck, I still feel robbed of all the experiences to come that she won't get to be a part of.

Perhaps the hardest part of moving this time is the fact that I know no one. My dorm is extremely closed off, and I'm significantly older than those I'm sharing my apartment with. While this is nothing new for me, the added element of cultural difference is also quite apparent. I literally have nothing in common with any of the people I am living with except for the fact that we are studying at the same university. The sense of feeling different was not something I felt during my time in Ghana. Maybe that is because when I was there, I spent the majority of the time with a group of ladies who I shared the common bond of 'being in Africa for the first time' with, in the same way that life in Wolfville was shared with other students experiencing the same 'stressed out, study-fest, trying to sort out life' crisis, mixed with a 'we're gonna save the world' determined mindset. But here, I'm the only one who seems to have an end goal. This isn't my first time away from home. I'm not trying to figure out who I am. I came to this school specifically because of the program's ability to help me achieve a future career that I am working to achieve. And, as a result, I feel alone.

So, here it was Sunday morning just short of noon. I'm stretching after a workout, when I look up and notice the smoke detector in my room with the number 27 stuck to it. I don't know if they all have this, or if it's just mine, but in that moment I realized I'm not alone. The number 27 was the address of my Mom's house. Home. When I was in Ghana I found this blue tie-died t-shirt (which I am now the proud owner of), that had a hilarious phrase on the front. It wasn't until I had washed it and had it out on the line that I realized on the back, in very large print, the number 27. And here, in the middle of my slight breakdown from finally allowing myself to feel the past year and a bit, it appears once more. Home. I think that through the grieving process, we look for any sort of sign to allow us to connect to the person we are missing. I think that in many ways I have certainly subscribed to this - this being one of them. But, if it gets me through the day, than what's the harm. Maybe it's my Mom's way of letting me know she's with me. Maybe it's just a sticker with the number 27 on it.

Well, that was a big emotion dump. How's about something a little happier? If I zoom really far with my camera, I can see this from my bedroom window. I have no idea what or where this is. The rest of my view is surrounded by buildings, but this one little section makes me smile when I look out...

Taken at approximately 7:30 am
Taken just after noon

Thanks for listening,
the Orange Canadian.

Thursday 18 September 2014

This is nothing like Coronation Street...

For those of you who connect with me over Facebook, you know that I arrived safely in Manchester. For those of you who do not...well, now you do too!

It's been a fairly intense few days, although I haven't really done anything. I arrived in Manchester shortly before noon, after a brief and dark stopover in Iceland. I successfully passed immigration and hopped in a taxi and made my way to the university. From all the reading I did prior to departure - and there was a lot of it, which I obviously missed - I made my way to student check in. This is a logical first step, I thought. Well, my friends, it turns out you were supposed to check into your accommodations first! So, here I was lugging my bags all over campus, which by the way is probably the size of Wolfville! It's huge!

By the time I checked into my new home, it was nearing 3pm and I had to meet with my program's administrators to play catch-up on what I'd missed. It turns out (despite my understanding from all of the things I'd read prior to my arrival) that I missed all of the orientation! Literally, as I walked into the office, it was finishing for the day/week. Oh well. After a brief chat, I left with a package of new reading material and made my way back 'home' to unpack and take a breath.

After sitting around for about 15 minutes, I realized I had no food, no phone, and no internet. This is when I had the great idea to head into the city centre and tackle a few of these issues. As I walked I tried to watch where I was going as I took in the architecture and sights around me. (Side note...for all of you who warned me about walking on the wrong side of the sidewalk, it makes no difference - people are everywhere!). The city is quite beautiful, and it even comes with its very own ferris wheel!   And, when I say the city is quite beautiful, I mean the entire city... After attempting a few errands, I quickly realized that I was lost. When I returned home and looked at a map, I pretty much walked the entire city. And yes, I made it back safely once again! I didn't take any pictures, but don't worry folks, I'll be making plenty more trips!

My room is much larger than I expected. I am living in a residence or hall. I have a private room in an apartment that I share with 5 other people. I have only met one person so far, but am hoping to see the others soon. It's pretty closed off, which I like, but also makes me feel awkward, since everyone else has been here for at least a week. Anyway, I have my own bathroom, which includes a shower that is not divided from the rest of the room... so I could sit on the toilet and shower if ever I feel the need to. It's pretty cool though, although I will have to adjust to having a wet floor for several hours after each shower.

 Yes, my bed is made. Also, let's not get to excited about the organized state of my wardrobe... I'm willing to bet that this time next week I will have returned to my usual disorganized self! 

Note the closeness of the toilet to shower!

Today, I went to a quick briefing on using the library, where I met my first friend (in Manchester, not in life)! He showed me where coffee is found in abundance. Mmmm coffee... Afterwards I had to check in with the department and prove that I am actually a real live person, and then I met with my program tutor. She filled in the rest of the gaps I was too tired to process yesterday. I made another trip in to the city once I was finished, hoping to open a bank account, but was told to come back another day. On my walk home, I stopped into a Tesco's to get a few groceries... If ever I needed confirmation that I was no longer in Ghana that was it... I spent the rest of my day napping and unpacking/getting organized.

That's all I have for you so far. I've got a ton of reading to accomplish before bedtime!

-the Orange Canadian

Tuesday 16 September 2014

Disorganized Chaos...

Well, it's finally here - departure day number two! It's hard to believe I was in this position just over four months ago, and yet here I am again! This time though, it all feels different. I've got my bags just about packed and the travel jitters have set in. ...okay so maybe I've had too much caffeine, who knows!?!

Fact: Emily does not handle last minute well.

When I returned from Ghana I never anticipated having any issues getting my student visa for the UK. Remember that post were I declared that things were finally going my way? Well, that came to an abrupt end. But, a week later than planned, here I am only hours away from departing for England. Without my passport or visa in my physical possession, I booked a one way ticket to Manchester yesterday morning, assuming I would receive those important documents today. When I called to ask about the estimated delivery time, I was initially told it would be sometime before 8pm, which was great considering I have to be at the airport no later than that exact time. But, thankfully, I was able to arrange a 10-4 time slot. And then came the waiting game...

I am usually someone who has travel arrangements confirmed months in advance, packing done at least a week prior to departure, and still has a panic attack at the thought of "what have I forgotten?"! This time around, I have no idea what I'm doing when I land, I bought my plane ticket the day before I left and I still have a bit of packing to do! I'm am so far out of my comfort zone, I can't even see the boundaries...and I love it!


Tonight I depart Halifax, and in the morning will be landing in Reykjavik, Iceland for a two or three hour stop over before making the final lag to Manchester. I have no idea what to expect over the next year. I'll try to keep you posted on adjusting to life, travels, and any other exciting things that might take place!

Wish me luck!

- the Orange Canadian

Saturday 13 September 2014

Update, frustrations, progress, and a little bitch-fest!

Yesterday morning I woke up feeling the same level of 'blah' that I've felt for several weeks now. My visa application for Manchester came with a few hiccups, and as a result I wasn't leaving on time, thus making me a bit down. But, I was heading to the Valley to visit with two of my favourite profs and a good friend.

As I was making my way to Wolfville, my heart lightened as I came upon my favourite point in the drive where Blomidon is happily sitting in the distance. There is something about this moment that always makes me feel at home. And if there was one thing I needed, it was to be 'home.'

I was supposed to head to Manchester on Wednesday, as in... I should be in Manchester right now as I type. However, Wolfville was the next best thing. I had a great visit with one of my profs, and I'm now going to think of her as the good luck charm, if you will. For, as soon as we parted ways an email came through indicating that my visa has finally been approved and was now heading my way. Great! I thought - I'll be on my way soon! Then, as I was sitting with another prof it began to sink in...I'm actually leaving now...and I've got so much to accomplish in the next few days! Despite all of this, it was good to have a few last visits before I head across the pond.

Then something weird happened (enter the bitch-fest portion of this post). On my drive home, just a few exits from Wolfville, there had been a car accident. We were stopped on the highway for a half an hour to forty-five minutes. From where I was stopped, I could see massive clouds of smoke. Car accidents are (unfortunately) fairly common, but what struck me as odd, was that as we were waiting many of the passengers from other vehicles got out of their cars and proceeded to the scene - cameras and iPhones in hand. When did this become how we operate? I, by no means, have any idea if anyone was hurt, nor could I tell from my vantage point what was going on, but I just thought this is someone's loved one...why are you taking pictures? Having lost my mother in a car accident I wondered for a few moments if someone had done this at her scene. I had this vision floating around in my head as I waited, of my mother's lifeless body sitting in the driver's seat and crowds of people snapping photos to post to Facebook, Twitter, or whatever. I have never had an urge to take photos of such an event, and I cannot imagine why anyone else would. Seriously... what is wrong with our society?!

Anyway, Manchester is soon to be my home, and I've got many things to accomplish. Luckily, I've been packed for a week. Now just to fork over the tuition, book flights, sell a car, and organize my life here in Canada. No big deal!

-the Orange Canadian

Monday 1 September 2014

Adjusting to "The Real World": The first month back in Canada

I have been putting this post off for some time now… 4ish weeks to be exact! To be fair, the title of this post would have to be changed to the first week back, but, what's a girl to do?!

It's hard to believe that Wednesday, when all the kiddies are making their way back to school, I will be 'celebrating' one month back in Canada. I'd be lying if I said this was fully positive for me. I'm still in a conflicted state, where part of me is happy to be surrounded by the friends, family, and conveniences that I left behind when I departed for Ghana, while the other part of me is wishing I were back in Koforidua being 'productive'. The interesting thing about the latter conflict is that my stay in Ghana did not leave me feeling overly productive, particularly where the organization that brought me to the country is concerned. But, I think making the connections I did, and working on the projects I started in my copious downtime, leaves me feeling confident that there is something productive I can do there. But let's step away from that for a minute…

Being as there was (and continues to be) a massive Ebola outbreak in several of the countries near Ghana, my departure was met with a little uncertainty. We were warned in Accra that we should be prepared to be questioned, tested, or in extreme cases, placed directly into quarantine. Nothing happened in Amsterdam, aside from being completely caught off guard by overwhlemedness (I know, not a word, but either we have a blog post with made up words, or we don't have one at all!) from the intensity of the bright lights, the warmth of the bathrooms' water, and the now unusual amount of white people! Having one's first cup of real coffee in three months was one super fantastic part of this stop-over.

Next was Detroit, where the customs agent bluntly told me I was lucky to have left when I did. Me, not having been exposed to the reality of the Ebola outbreak, was dumbfounded by what she meant… then I turned around and saw CNN on what felt like every wall. Who knew it was that bad? Here I thought the only real threat I had around me was the Cholera outbreak that was taking place in Koforidua when I departed! (Note: Ebloa has not found its way into Ghana, meaning that despite the magnitude of the outbreak, there wasn't any sort of threat to me!)

The final 'opportunity' to be questioned about the possibility of having Ebola was in Halifax - home sweet home. Verbatim conversation based on my overtired memory of my encounter with the customs agent at the Halifax airport:
Agent: Oh, so you were in Ghana for 3 months… what were you doing there?
Me: Volunteering… (said with the fakest smile I could muster, whilst trying to sound convincing that I had, in fact been "volunteering")
Agent: Great! Welcome home!
Me: …thanks…?
So, Ebola-free and slightly disappointed that I wasn't an obvious candidate for quarantine (what?! It would have made a much better coming home story!), I grabbed my luggage and made my way through the big sliding doors, where my two favourite boys and a bag of stale cheesies were awaiting me. For those of you reading that know about my allergies, there comes a time in one's life, when all they really need is the comfort of some stale cheesies! Besides, I wasn't fully able to stick to my dietary restrictions while I was away, so a few days to cheat, I think, is perfectly acceptable!

(Re)Adjusting to life in Canada was different from what I expected. The things that took me by surprise, or made me a little anxious, weren't things I had anticipated, such as how loud it is here…and a different type of loud than what I had experienced in Ghana. I also, to my brother's delight, found grocery shopping completely overwhelming! It was so bright, the choices were endless, and no one was yelling at me to buy their specific product. Driving, surprisingly, was the one thing that didn't seem odd to me, which is funny because I hate driving and usually find it overwhelming! I found the first few days really difficult. Part of this was because I was alone, I think. To be fair, I also didn't really want to see anyone. After I returned to Wolfville and met with some friends for REAL coffee, I began to feel a bit more at home. But it's weird, because in so many ways, it felt like nothing had changed… the conversations had picked up right where they had left off, except that, in reality, so much had changed.

The last few weeks have been spent decluttering, or perhaps attempting to declutter my life. Filled with a mix of adventures and chats with friends and family, and moving amidst a massive and inconvenient construction project, I have been slowly processing the last few months. I've alluded in previous entries that the organization and the expectations of my placement were not all they were promised to be. This is perhaps my biggest struggle to work through now that I am home and able to just contemplate things. I'm taking actions to deal with this situation, although based on my experience, do not anticipate any sort of result.

Well, that's all for now. Next time you hear from me, I'll likely be in Manchester!

-the Orange Canadian!