Letting go of Beautiful British Columbia for Yours to Discover…………..

This past month, I have done a lot of flying. Fortunately, I have been on a few layovers in Toronto, affording me the opportunity to visit some more with my family. I did some shopping with my sister and nieces at Square One Shopping Centre, apparently the largest mall in Ontario. It definitely is big….and it has many of my favourite shops. Fortunately I am limited to what I can fit into my little suitcase to bring back with me in the aircraft. My sister and I had a nice dinner at Milestones where we had a chance to catch up, just the two of us. I was delighted to find there was a Milestones restaurant here. It is one of my favourite restaurants in BC. I also had the opportunity to have dinner with my grandmother and Uncle Ray one evening at their favourite restaurant, Swiss Chalet. I have plans to get together with my cousin Giselle, and hopefully my girlfriend Kim, on the next trip to Toronto, which should be in a couple of weeks.

Even though I have had the opportunity to see my friends and relatives so much lately, it doesn’t diminish the growing homesickness I am feeling for BC. I have been holding on to the notion that “it’s just temporary” to ward it off, but that is starting to wane. By keeping my BC plates and licence, it was a way of identifying myself as being from BC and reminding myself that this is only temporary. Defiantly, I found myself putting off switching over, as if it was a way of holding on to my “BC” identity. Silly, eh?

After the first snowfall in North Bay, tragically, my cute Whistler Chick sticker peeled off. It was as if it were a sign!! Then, a few of my workmates started to advise me that with the winter driving conditions approaching, I may regret it (not switching over) if I get into an accident, since ICBC may not cover me. So, I realized it was time to let go and make the switch. Silly as it sounds, I felt a sense of loss this week when I removed the plates reading “Beautiful British Columbia” and replaced them with ones that read “Yours to Discover”. And, it was with a heavy heart that I surrendered my BC drivers licence at the Licence Bureau for my Ontario Drivers Licence. I just keep reminding myself that it is only a formality and that it is just as easy to switch back over when I finally get to go back to BC. Maybe I should ask Rob to send me my Canucks flags for my car.

Although my social life mainly revolves around Bentley, I did get a chance to go out on the town in North Bay with a couple of girls last week (wives of other pilots). We went out on a week night….so there wasn’t much going on (although it may be just as dead in North Bay on the weekend….who knows?). We went to a few different pubs for drinks and had a good time. They are both mothers of small children who do not get to go out much. They convinced their husbands (my workmates) to stay home with the kids so that they could go out. It was nice spending some time with girls for a change. (There is only one other female pilot at my base, but she is usually on the Dash and working overseas.) Oddly, all three of us are from BC, so we spent some time reminiscing and discussing the Canucks chances this season. Since we are all hockey fans, we are going to try and get out again one night, maybe to catch a Skyhawks game (North Bay’s Junior team). This Tuesday, I am supposed to go out with a few of the guys to Don Cherry’s to watch some hockey (probably the Habs or Leafs).

I have yet to join a gym in North Bay to maintain my sanity and fitness. Instead, I have relied on using the fitness centres at the hotels that I am staying at when I am on charters, and jogging on the waterfront with Bentley. I also purchased a Pilates DVD to add some variety. In May, I put my name on a waiting list at the gym at the CFB because it is conveniently located across the street from the Voyageur Hanger and only 5 minutes from my place. Apparently, I should be able to join this month. It is a good facility with an Olympic size pool; squash, racquetball and tennis courts; an outdoor rink; full cardio and weight room as well as fitness classes. The reason for the waiting list is that it only costs $250/year to join. The reason it is so cheap is because the hours are limited for civilian members. Once the snow starts to accumulate it is going to be difficult to run outside, so the timing is perfect.

Bentley and I are still doing Agility once in a while to keep him occupied and to prevent him from forgetting anything he has learned. Although, at Halloween, I discovered that he actually has an amazing memory. Last year, when Halloween night was over, Rob put our carved pumpkin out in the back yard to prevent the hooligans from smashing it in the streets overnight. The next morning, when Bentley went out into the yard, he discovered it and backed away from it barking, obviously spooked. He recognized that there was a face on it and was quite uncertain of it. This year, I realized that he remembered this because he approached all pumpkins (carved or not) with great caution!! He would not go within 10 feet of the one that I bought and carved, and even fled to my bed when he first noticed it on the counter. Funny pooch.

With the cold crappy winter weather ahead, I have realized there will be times when neither of us will want to do much outside. So, I decided to look into other activities we can do together. I am looking into some volunteer work with an organization called Therapeutic Paws. As volunteers, Bentley and I would visit some sick people in the hospital and elderly people to help lift their spirits. Since I have been in North Bay, I have noticed that Bentley has an amazing affect on many people. Every day he seems to brighten up someone’s day whom we may come across in our travels. He is such a sweet boy with an amazing temperament that he seems to draw attention wherever we go. He is starting to mature now that he is almost two years old so I think he would make a good therapeutic dog. I think this could be a worthwhile activity for us both. I think that the more positive activities I can participate in, the less difficult it will seem being away from Rob and everyone else that I miss so much in BC.

I know I have missed a lot already since I have been gone. There have been many new arrivals, and some special occasions and accomplishments. So, congratulations to all. I really hope that everyone is doing well, and I look forward to seeing you when I get a chance to visit. In the mean time I will try to keep posting updates on my adventures. I hope to hear from all of you as well when you get a chance.