Calgary - Day 1
The night before was restless. I had been searching for my journal without luck. Initially, I couldn't find it and then when I did, it was stuck in my desk. I tried fruitlessly to pull it out. In the process of doing so, I hung up on my friend about half a dozen times.
Perhaps, it was best to leave it, and the memories in which it carried, behind. I couldn't help but wonder if it was meant to be. It was a sign to start anew. It's been over a year now since he's left my life. I hesitate to tell him that I'll be leaving soon, since we haven't spoken for nearly a year. To say that I miss him would be an understatement.
The taxi ride to the airport was ridiculously expensive. I'm pretty sure I would have still caught my flight had we taken the 401, but the cab driver insisted on the 407 plus an extra fee. I decided not to tip. I should have asked for the flat rate.
I searched for a journal, but couldn't find one. I needed to write down my thoughts, or so I thought. Again, fruitless effort. They have special journal now for weightless and recipes and dreams, but not an ordinary journal. Maybe it's not so new, but I wanted something simple, but elegant. Something he had provided to me in the past. Something I hoped to find again. Maybe in Calgary, I suppose. I did, afterall, have a full weeks' worth of exploring.
Perhaps, it was a sign of me maturing. The need to no longer look back with such density. Or, maybe it was just the need for time to pass.
I passed out several times on the plane ride over. Perhaps, staying up till 3am the night before was not such a good idea.
I arrived to Calgary safely to meet up with Sammi. She's such a gracious hostess. Looking at her makes me wonder if I can do the same when I'm all alone in the land down under.
We wanted to grab sushi, but since it was closed, we walked across the Bow River Valley Bridge and down to 8th Ave (or Stephenson Ave). We debated having steak for lunch and instead decided on burgers. It was SO odd. They ran out of beef?! How can you run out of beef during Stampede week in Calgary? So, instead we both had chicken.
Later on, we walked back to her place and waited for the futon to arrive and Tyler to come pick me up to celebrate Cydney's birthday.
It was great to see Cydney and Kim again. Cydney was adorable! She was also happy to see me. One of the happiest babies I've seen. She looked so pretty in the green dress that I gave to her for her birthday. She's gotten so big since the last time I saw her.
We stayed in and chatted over pizza. Tyler baked a cake for her birthday while Kim showed me some of her quilting work. They lead such a simple life. Even more so now with Cydney. Kim commented that her and Tyler no longer thinks much about what to do after work. All their efforts are concentrated on taking care of their baby girl.
We walked to nearby parks after the cakes were finished and played on swings and slides as if we were young again. It's amazing how kids can make you feel young one moment and old the next.
The day had gotten late quickly. It was nearly 10pm when I got back at Sammi's place.
As night drew closer, I heard fireworks go off in the distance. Slowly, but surely, fireworks appeared in the distance. I smiled as the day ended with a celebration of lights in the sky.
Perhaps, it was best to leave it, and the memories in which it carried, behind. I couldn't help but wonder if it was meant to be. It was a sign to start anew. It's been over a year now since he's left my life. I hesitate to tell him that I'll be leaving soon, since we haven't spoken for nearly a year. To say that I miss him would be an understatement.
The taxi ride to the airport was ridiculously expensive. I'm pretty sure I would have still caught my flight had we taken the 401, but the cab driver insisted on the 407 plus an extra fee. I decided not to tip. I should have asked for the flat rate.
I searched for a journal, but couldn't find one. I needed to write down my thoughts, or so I thought. Again, fruitless effort. They have special journal now for weightless and recipes and dreams, but not an ordinary journal. Maybe it's not so new, but I wanted something simple, but elegant. Something he had provided to me in the past. Something I hoped to find again. Maybe in Calgary, I suppose. I did, afterall, have a full weeks' worth of exploring.
Perhaps, it was a sign of me maturing. The need to no longer look back with such density. Or, maybe it was just the need for time to pass.
I passed out several times on the plane ride over. Perhaps, staying up till 3am the night before was not such a good idea.
I arrived to Calgary safely to meet up with Sammi. She's such a gracious hostess. Looking at her makes me wonder if I can do the same when I'm all alone in the land down under.
We wanted to grab sushi, but since it was closed, we walked across the Bow River Valley Bridge and down to 8th Ave (or Stephenson Ave). We debated having steak for lunch and instead decided on burgers. It was SO odd. They ran out of beef?! How can you run out of beef during Stampede week in Calgary? So, instead we both had chicken.
Later on, we walked back to her place and waited for the futon to arrive and Tyler to come pick me up to celebrate Cydney's birthday.
It was great to see Cydney and Kim again. Cydney was adorable! She was also happy to see me. One of the happiest babies I've seen. She looked so pretty in the green dress that I gave to her for her birthday. She's gotten so big since the last time I saw her.
We stayed in and chatted over pizza. Tyler baked a cake for her birthday while Kim showed me some of her quilting work. They lead such a simple life. Even more so now with Cydney. Kim commented that her and Tyler no longer thinks much about what to do after work. All their efforts are concentrated on taking care of their baby girl.
We walked to nearby parks after the cakes were finished and played on swings and slides as if we were young again. It's amazing how kids can make you feel young one moment and old the next.
The day had gotten late quickly. It was nearly 10pm when I got back at Sammi's place.
As night drew closer, I heard fireworks go off in the distance. Slowly, but surely, fireworks appeared in the distance. I smiled as the day ended with a celebration of lights in the sky.