Greetings from Canada! I feel like many things have happened since I last posted something but I suppose in the grand scheme of things, not that much has actually happened. I will try to summarize the last few weeks in a semi interesting fashion.
I left Korea. The reasons for my early departure are not super relevant or interesting but I feel like since I have left, my life has been very different. I landed in Portland, Oregon Wednesday July 14th. I booked a hotel in Chinatown--which is apparently where the majority of the people who are homeless live. Homelessness was one of the major themes from my three weeks in America. I get that it’s not just an American problem and there are many people who are homeless in Canada but it seems like a serious issue that can really ruin the vibe of a city.
After Portland I visited my friends in Olympia, Washington where we went on lots of hikes, had a few fires, ate good food and just had time to catch up.
Other big takeaways:
- No tipping in Korea; tipping everywhere in America. I know which one I prefer
- Everyone in America speaks English which makes communicating much easier for me.
- Security guards in America don’t get paid enough.
- My friends took me to my first dispensary.
- Getting shaved near my house in Seoul was about $10. Getting shaved in Canada is about $50. I am not pleased.
- Does anything else feel like life is just waiting to get them? I feel like there is almost always one extra little step or problem. Want tickets? Book online. Booking online? Already sold out. Want your favourite Just Right cereal? Discontinued. Want to go to that bakery? Closed at 5. I don’t think I understand hours of operation. Some places open all of the time. Some close at 10. Some close at 3. Some aren’t open on Tuesdays. I don’t get it. Is it just me?
- I met a sunflower that was way taller than me. Have you ever stood next to a sunflower? They are massive.
- Grocery stores have far too many items. People must spend hours there. There are too many things. Agree or disagree?
- I am getting my first phone with data and a number next week. Do you think there will be a small to medium problem for me to solve to get it to work?
- It rained for about 10 minutes while I was in America for three weeks; that’s probably not a great thing for planet Earth.
- Shouldn’t the fact that we are destroying the Earth and climate change might destroy all of us be on the front page of every newspaper every day?
- Sour Patch Kids make their own ice cream now. That seems unnecessary.
- Why do TVs have so many remotes? Now we have Hulu, Roku, Netflix, Disney+. I feel 80 years old.
- I had won $12 off a scratch off ticket from 2 years ago. One of the first things I did when I landed in Canada was to get that money. Of course, it expired in April.
- Did you know kids under 12 ride the TTC for free? I found that out after buying my 6-year-old niece two tickets.
- I never noticed Seoul doing any maintenance on their subway system. Trains are always on time. That is not the case with the subway in Toronto. I don’t think I understand why it’s so different. Maybe Seoul wasn’t so bad…
- Trader Joe’s Mac + Cheese is great.
- I feel like there are lots of ladies just wearing workout clothes everywhere now and I am not totally certain they were or are about to workout. Athleisure is in. Bras are out. I don’t understand life.
This tone might seem negative but they are more just observations and my overall confusion about being a human on this planet. Not working has been ideal. Seeing my friends was just what the doctor ordered. Being back in Toronto with my brother, his wife and kids is also just what I needed. Moving back to Ottawa August 16th. It’s summertime! I hope your summer is treating you well. I will provide a more thoughtful and entertaining update at a later day.
Assassins
among us
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