A NEW BEGINNING

After many years of planning and working on courses, I am finally in Vancouver ready to begin my year at SFU. Brian and I tossed around the idea of me getting a teaching certificate since around 2002. It was at that point that I began to take courses towards my bachelor of arts degree. It was slow going and I wasn't extremely motivated and the idea died out in 2004. But after taking a couple years off course work and just working at the school in Ross River I took up the cause again. I was still unsure of fulfilling the plan because I couldn't fathom taking a whole year and selfishly living away from the family in Vancouver to get the certification. Finally 2 years ago we made a firm decision. I decided that I wanted to get my certificate. I wasn't happy always being the underling that did the teacher's bidding. I wanted to be a teacher myself. The time was set for this fall because all the kids have left home and are relatively self-sufficient. The past year has been spent finishing needed courses and filling out applications. This is the year that everything has come together perfectly. I received education leave from work which gives me 70% of my salary while attending school and, obviously, I was accepted into the program. The hardest part of this journey has been the last week. After all this time of preparation, this week was when reality began to settle in. It has been a week of raw emotions as Brian and I prepared ourselves for this time apart. After 21 1/2 years of marriage this is no easy task. There were many times I asked myself why I ever thought this would be a good idea. But I am now in Vancouver and am getting prepared to embark on this adventure. Here's to a fabulous, although somewhat lonely, year to come.