One Year

On the one hand, it doesn't seem like a year. On the other hand, it seems like an eternity. But, yes, one year ago today we arrived in Fredericton.

It feels somewhat odd that I don't have anything remarkable to say about it. I'm glad we're in Canada. On most days I'm glad we're in New Brunswick, or at least in the Maritimes. On my travels last weekend I found myself thinking, as a I drove, "This seems nice... but there's no ocean!" When we got here I found myself wondering how I had ever lived in land-locked Minnesota for 13 years! Note: The 10,000 lakes don't count!

Today, I'm particularly glad to be in Canada. I just send a message to the White House, expressing my disgust over the Department of Justice brief on DOMA. 2012? I don't think so.

But, let's recap the year, shall we?
12 June: Left Saint Paul, MN
16 June: Arrived in Fredericton, NB
16 June - 1 October: Lived on Charlotte Street
1 October - 16 October: Lived on Bridge Street
16 October - 17 November: Lived on King Street
17 November: Moved into the incomplete house in Douglas, NB

P was, unexpectedly, back in Minnesota from 20 August to 10 December, with a few visits in between. From January to April she completed her last credits of law school by doing a practicum at UNB and graduated with her JD. She is now working again and will start a new job in her field - libraries - on Monday. Woo-hoo! And, it's a government job. Even better.

8YO - who, L-girl reminded me, was 5YO when I began this blog! - has had a wonderful year. Having done K and grade 1 in French Immersion, this year in an English school has been great for him. He has caught up with his reading - nothing short of a miracle if you had seen last summer's meltdowns. He was able to ski this winter and is now playing soccer. He's anxiously awaiting trips to Killarney Lake to look for tadpoles and lives to play in the water down on the Bay.

Me? I'm still walking better some days than others, having trouble with my shoulders, and waiting to be seen by a doctor in Canada. Oh, well... I'm hangin' in. After waiting 51 weeks for the powers that be to figure out that it was okay, my work situation is set for the next two years. I'm thankful for that as it means I can teach, mostly, from here, but for my "home" institution. I was able to teach a class at UNB this winter and will be doing another next year. I'm [still] being sued by our crooked builder and one of the subs he failed to pay. But, I try to be hopeful that everything will, eventually, be fine - both with my health and the house.

I often ask myself what I would do differently. Honestly? I'm not sure that we would have come to New Brunswick. When I tick off the reasons it's a great place for us versus why it's not, I think that we might still have done so. The only reason I really continue to wonder about the decision is the health care situation. I have come to the conclusion that I would still have built a house. It made sense in terms of finance, timing, and lifestyle. And, we absolutely love our location. Not just the area, but the exact lot is perfect. But, if I'd had a crystal ball, I would simply have hoped it would have told me to use a different builder - or to have not worried about being perceived as a bitch for insisting that they do things right. But, as above, I try to have faith that eventually it will all work out.

We've met some absolutely great people and 8YO has some really good friends. But, I'm also thankful for the cyber-community. It sounds kind of lame when I look at the words, but I really think that communicating with my friends - expats in particular, family, students/alums, and colleagues - be it via blogs, email, or facebook, kept me sane. Well, as sane as I am, regardless of locale. I loathe to think of what this year would have been without that ease of contact.

This summer we will visit the shore in Nova Scotia - celebrating a special occasion with another expat family, spend a week in a small village in Quebec, and, if we can swing it, spend a weekend on Campobello Island. We'll get down to the Bay again for various day trips. A friend from Saint Paul will spend a week with us in July. At summer's end I'll be driving to Minnesota for the "opening games"of the academic year, returning with my mother in tow. She will probably stay for 3-4 weeks, able to see the change of seasons. For the past 21 years my life has been lived on the academic calendar. That hasn't changed. Summer? I have the good fortune for that to mean more than that the weather has become warmer.

So, one year. Wow. What will the next year bring? I'm almost afraid to consider the question! But, we're here and, as I said earlier, I do like to think that we've "turned a corner." I just remind myself that, regardless of the challenges, we're living in a place where our family is treated equally under the law. That's enough to make it all worthwhile.