Too much.

Photo by my favorite photographer, Alisa Arsenault.

My favorite baby, favorite coffee shop.

That being said, I'm off on a coffee hunt. Strapping on my boots and warmest scarf. Is it minus one hundred home as well?

I heard someone talk around the table.

Here I am, Montreal. I came home (Steph & Aaron's) to a house full of Acadians and a pot of Frico simmering in the kitchen (Capital F. You won't understand until you've had it). I did not expect that at all. Sneaky, beautiful friends. The host even made two versions of fresh baked bread and poutine-a-trou for desert. Yes, please. She continues to blow my mind (and my estomac), every, single, time. I started doubting my decision to move here as soon as I got off the plane. The traffic and cold stares really turn me off. We've come to the conclusion that it's the curse of The Maritimes. Where I am from, people are super caring and warm.  Like a drug, when I don't get that on a daily basis, there's a void to fill,  leaving me feeling empty and small. I wonder how people here do it. I wonder if I can do it, here.

It's for-real-life, now.

This is my friend Essa. We've been BF's since grade three. The first time I saw her, I was tippy-toe peeking over our fence in Riverview and thought she was pretty cute with her mushroom cut. I had a crush on her (I thought she was a boy), no big deal. I spoke to her on the phone last night and updated her on my plans. (Which means moving to MTL. That's if I don't get knocked up in Europe. JUST KIDDING MOM.) Her reaction just made everything that much more official. Never again will I have the chance to live in the same city as my three solid girls, so how can I not? It's as perfect as perfect gets. Before we start popping out babies and stuff, you know.  Twenty eleven is about taking risks and doing things I don't normally do. Whether it's moving to MTL or paragliding in the Alps, Ashrams or solo poetry nights, simple things as admitting I'm wrong and going out of my way to make someones day rock. Forget resolutions! Life's too short to worry about those.

Ouch.

 I AM LEAVING IN THREE WEEKS. Not the first thought I want popping in my head, when I'm still wearing yesterdays clothes, empty wine bottles everywhere. Things to do, projects to finish, people to love. I feel like I'm dying and running out of time to plan my funeral!
 I know I'm being dramatic, but I kind of am (dying). I won't be coming back to the place I call home if all goes as planned. Super exciting, but three weeks is not long enough for me to get organised. I'm freaking out. 
 In the last months I've completely fallen head over heels in love with this town. It blows my mind how many talented, innovative, beautiful people we have here. Moncton is blooming. Acadians are the warmest people you will ever meet. Maybe it's not fair to say that considering I've only seen Canada. And even at that, it's SO big. I'll have to re-evaluate the situation after my trip, but I have my reasons to believe this statement is legit.
 A lot of changes have been happening lately. I didn't think I could grow and learn so much in so little time by staying in one place. That being said, the thought of travelling for three months is quite overwhelming right now!
I feel I need more time to digest before I dive into a new adventure.
 I am so very grateful for the people in my life right now. Twenty ten has been a blessing. A brilliant boss, co-workers, Sequoia customers, family, friends, old and new, including couch surfing friends that I hope to reconnect with in Europe. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with couchsurfing.com, check it out. It's the best way to travel by staying put. And the birthplace of my new high.) I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 
 The people I look up to the most have been inspiring and have aloud me come to realisations I never thought I'd have. It might not show from the outside, but I am a completely new person. (Not that there was anything wrong with the old one). THANK YOU. If you're reading this, you're probably part of the above mentioned. I tend to get emotional when I'm running on little sleep, but honestly, I can't find a word to describe precisely just how much I am in love with life right now and I have many of you to thank for that. Either by example or through conversation, and sharing stories & time, you've helped create this young woman who is now charged and ready to go. (So dramatic, I know, but bare with me.)