Our Life in Transition

Well now that everything has been signed, sealed and is (basically) set in place, I can officially announce that... we're moving.


Danny has been offered a wonderful opportunity for a one-year fellowship position in Toronto and we decided that it would be a mistake not to pursue it. 


Last week, after his exam, we both met up in Toronto to (1) celebrate his new designation and (2) try to get a few things ready for our new life out East. I have never lived in TO before so the idea of moving 3000+ kms across country to a foreign city away from all family and friends is a bit daunting. Okay, a LOT daunting. However, Danny spent four years there while in med school and is a bit more familiar with the neighbourhood. I'm sure he'll do a great job getting me acquainted and settled right in.


Our week-long stay in Toronto was a bit of a whirlwind; meeting with property agents, touring places to live, and signing more cheques than I'd like to think about but we managed to get most of the major items crossed off our 'to-do list' so that when we return in a month's time I won't be panicking. Oh, who am I kidding, I'll probably still be panicking but at least I know we won't be homeless.


So bear with me as we go through these next few weeks. I'm a bit apprehensive about up-rooting our life and leaving behind friends and family and all that is familiar for a year. But, I am also supremely excited about all the adventures that await us in Toronto!

A Few New Letters

It's official. Danny now has an MD and a FRCPC behind his name. He passed the exam and we are beyond thrilled. Now it's time to celebrate.

And by celebrate I mean order a plate of cookies from room service. Whoopie!

It’s the Final Countdown

I’m a bundle of nerves and I don’t even have to do anything! It’s Danny’s big licensing exam this weekend. After twelve years of post-secondary education including five years of residency, thousands of hours of studying and more teaching sessions than I can keep track of, it all comes down to these next few days.

In one sense I can’t really believe that it is actually happening. For as long as we’ve known each other this has been the end point (or the beginning point). This was a date looming over our heads for years, the date in which Danny’s knowledge and competency and character is vigorously examined and tested. So much of our lives were ‘on hold’ until this milestone had been achieved.

Selfishly, I’ve been looking forward to the whole exam process being completed for a while now. Imagine having evenings where we could go out for dinner and a movie, or taking a weekend trip somewhere fun, or not having to turn down so many dinners with family and friends because there were still so many chapters to be covered in the latest textbook?

But the end is finally near!

This morning, Danny boarded a plane and flew to Ottawa to join with the other residents from across the country and take this National exam. No doubt there will be a lot of stress and a lot of anxiety but it is a necessary passage in everyone’s career path.

I have no doubt that he is prepared and capable. I respect the way he has worked so tremendously hard and proven himself multiple times to his peers, his colleagues and his patients. I have a lot of confidence in him and know that he is well equipped for success. And yet, it is with humility that we approach this exam. We can’t take anything for granted and I know it will be challenging.

So I’m sitting here at home, a bundle of nervous energy, not questioning whether his skills or abilities will be ‘enough’ but rather hoping that the exam is a positive experience where he feels he performed to the best of his abilities.

Finger’s crossed! 

To My Mother with Love

A quick note to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all the mothers out there, and a special thanks to my own mom for teaching me that while kneeling in the grass wearing a $3800 tweed jacket, cotton panties and rubber boots may look endearing, it will probably give me a rash.

Love you Mom!

Dare I Say Spring has Sprung?

Today the sun was out, the sky was blue, and the mercury had risen to a whopping 13’C (55’F). I was itching to go outside, and so, apparently, was the rest of the city. I decided to take a brisk walk and fill my lungs with the fresh, crisp air.

One of the advantages of living downtown is the proximity to the river and all of its pathways. I love being in the hustle and bustle of it all and still having river access just a few blocks away. I cued up my iPhone with some Adele (I’m probably one of the last people on earth to jump on that bandwagon... yeah, she’s fantastic) and off I went.

Within two minutes I realized it was a good thing that I wasn’t hoping for an intensive run because the streets and pathways were absolutely packed. Everyone within a five-mile radius was out. People on skateboards, people on long boards, people on bikes, people on rollerblades and people on bikes pulling people on rollerblades. I was sniffed by big dogs, little dogs, yappy dogs, and even a dog in a pink dog-stroller (really?). There were kids with painted faces climbing on playgrounds, a girl in a teeny tiny green dress hitting softballs with a baseball bat, a group of men carrying cricket poles, and even a group of women twirling those batons with long ribbons attached. And then, of course, were the clusters of people lying on the (mostly) dry grass with their friends next to the group yoga session. I seriously thought I was walking amongst a circus.

It was really strange to see so many different people doing so many different things at once but one thing I know for sure was that we were all united in the joy that spring has finally sprung!