back on track

i guess this project has been put on hold lately in favour of a busy, busy life (and plenty of free time laziness). i don't think anyone actually follows, so not really a big deal...

so, much has happened in the almost year since i quit posting. i worked in the office some more, completed IRPA training, had an insanely heart crushing break up, did overseas training in paris and mexico city and found out my posting. i'm moving to damascus in less than 2 mths!! hard to believe it is finally happening.

it's funny how something that couldn't happen soon enough 6 mths ago now feels like it is going to happen way too fast! the first of my colleagues already departed for post last week and the first big goodbye that is going to hit me in the heart happens this week. having lived in ottawa for almost 2 years now, i've been blessed to meet some truly great people who have enriched my time and been much needed companions in arms on this journey that can sometimes get a bit lonely.

overseas training was great. it was really the first time that all of us got a taste of what our job would actually be like. i'm happy to report that i liked it! this was good news as there was always a little voice in the back of my head saying, now what have you got yourself into? i found it very satisfying...but of course getting to train in paris and mexico was such a treat, who wouldn't enjoy working there?!

i was in paris for 4 weeks and loved getting the chance to practice using french and flex my tarte eating muscles. in fact, i ate so many pastries and sweets that the ladies in my favoured bakery would giggle every time i came in to purchase another treat. apparently it is not a normal parisian practice to consume tartes every evening...

i also got to take a weekend trip to normandy to see the d-day beaches. the views are amazing and evocative; this should be a must see for any canadian travelling in france. since it was winter when i was there, there was a total lack of tourists. an eerie fog had descended and i couldn't shake the lingering feeling of walking amongst ghosts. quite powerful really.



mexico city was also fabulous. i was lucky enough to get to share my training with 3 colleagues (one an excellent spanish speaker) so we had plenty of fun and adventures. the two things i take away from mexico are how incredibly lovely and warm the people are and how delicious the food is. having never experienced latino culture, i can say i fell in love and hope one day to be learning spanish and staging a return.