Greetings from Canada!!

Hello, hello everyone! The very warmest of greetings come all the way to you from Calgary, Alberta, Canada! Apologies, it's been over three weeks since my last blog post but, you're going to have to forgive me this time guys. It took me a while to get set up with internet, I've had several appointments that had to be attended to first before I actually find the time to sit down and write a blog post for you guys! That being said, I am back! Reporting to you live from Canadian soil! Man, does it feel good to actually say that!

The last three weeks have been nothing but chaotic to say the least. Once I finished work, I had 10 days, 1 working week, left on Irish soil before my flight to sort my life out, that included packing. I was crazy busy! I had been in the post office more times that week than I had in my entire life! I had something to do everyday between posting things, sorting insurance and sadly, having to bid my last goodbyes too close friends and family. In saying that, one piece of advice I would give to you guys is to give yourself more than 1 week to have everything sorted. In hindsight, choosing to leave so close after Xmas was also, not the best decision. Because I was working so much right up until Xmas, I had no time to wrap my head around what I wanted to pack, what I needed to do in preparation like sorting our my international health insurance as I mentioned earlier. One minute I was working flat out, the next thing my notice was handed in, next thing I knew I had managed to give myself practically no preparation time.

People kept asking me "has it hit you yet" and it honestly, it didn't properly hit me until the night of our going away party. That night, when friends and family decided to head home and, I was saying goodbye, I knew in my heart it was the last time I was going to be seeing many of them. There was a tear or two, I had to hold them back, I'm not going to lie! I didn't want to be an emotional wreck, that's not what that night was about. I wanted it to be fun, a good send off!  In the end, I had a fantastic night and was genuinely shocked to see just how many people took the time to see us off and wish us well! People might not always express how they feel towards you but when they do, it's really nice to see! Very heart warming!

The tears really started to flow the night before we left, I had to say goodbye to my aunt and uncle and my aunt got upset so, I got upset and that was the start of it. I knew I was going to break down having to say goodbye to my immediate family. My mum and dad drove us to the airport but, there was no room left for my brother so, I cried saying goodbye to him. The day of the flight, I felt physically sick with nerves, I couldn't eat anything. I was shacking with nerves! I broke down saying goodbye to my parents, I didn't realise how hard it was going to be and how hysterical I would become. I even cried as the plane took off because I knew in my heart it would be several months before I would be back on Irish soil. For those of you who are waiting for your departure date or are thinking of applying for a visa, take it from me, the goodbyes suck.

Thankfully, myself and Larry made it Toronto without a glitch and were greeted by my family who we stayed with until Saturday January 24th when we flew to Calgary to be greeted by my lovely sister. Our time was very limited in Toronto, in hindsight I should have stayed longer. It's not that often I get to see my family and they also had to work through most of the time that we were there but, hopefully now that I live on the same continent, trips back and forth will be slightly more frequent. Over the few days we had in Toronto, I must have walked 1000 miles! Myself and Larry walked into Milton town centre where my family lives on the first day (got lost, of course!). Second day we managed to make our way into down town Toronto, met up with my friend Mark who I have mentioned on this blog before. He has been living in Toronto since October and loving it! Great to see a familiar face and that he is doing well.We took a trip to the aquarium,which was actually really cool! Saw some great sights and ate some delicious food but, before we knew it, we had to repack our bags and catch our ongoing flight out west to Calgary!

We've only been in Calgary a few days, still finding our bearings here. Lovely city, lovely views and skyline. Nowhere near as big as Toronto so, definitely think I'll be more comfortable here. Already finding it way easier to navigate! I'll write a more detailed post about Calgary for you guys soon! So far, all I've done is set up my phone, bank account and gotten my SIN (PPS) number....

Here's a few snaps of my first week in Canada!

Thanks for reading,

Ciara

First day at -16 degrees! 

Yum burgers from "The Works" Milton. 

Mark, myself and Larry. Love this photo! 

Lake Ontario FROZEN! 

Myself and Larry in the aquarium.

Me being a tourist! 

Me, Larry and our saw shark friend! 

Me, delighted with life and all the nemo's! 

Red and white CN Tower at night. 

Snap of Calgary from the air! 

Larry and myself.
Calgary tower in background

2 Weeks to Go!!

2015 has only been up and running for less than one week and I can all ready tell, it's going to be one amazing year! Within the first 5 days of the new year, I received so much exciting news, I still haven't managed to process it all!

Firstly, I had an amazing new years celebration! Myself and my boyfriend rang in the new year in what was supposed to be, a very low key house party but, when there's drink involved with the Irish, nothing is low key! Once we had gotten a few drinks into us and midnight had passed, we managed to end up in a bar in Sligo town, 5th on Teeling (which I have mentioned on the blog before) at a silent disco and it was honestly so much fun! Silent discos have made a huge comeback in Sligo recently. The Fleadh Ceoil is entirely to blame for that! As I said, the house party was supposed to be low key so, I dressed very casually for the gathering opting for flat shoes. Normally on a night out, I would don extremely high heels and of course, by the end of the night that would leave me barely able to walk! I think this was one of the reasons that allowed me to have such a good night. Also, I think a lot of Irish people would agree with me that, the best nights out are always the ones that are unplanned!

If you've been following my blog, you'll know that I have mentioned a certain, very special lady before, my best friend Rachael. The last time I spoke of her, she had returned to London and I wouldn't be seeing her until around now, at Xmas. It's amazing what can change in the space of a few months and not just a year! She and her lovely boyfriend have actually moved back to Ireland permanently which I am beyond excited about! It's so nice to have her close again! Although... it's also quite sad as now, I'm the one who's moving away! The good news continues for her as she became engaged on Xmas day, has moved into a gorgeous house and got a new puppy! The stuff that fairy tales are made of people! I am beyond happy for her, she had a tough year in 2014 so, it just goes to show you that whatever sh*t (excuse my French!) life may through at you, if you persevere through it, good luck will come a calling! Congrats Racheal!

On Saturday, my boyfriend Larry had his first flying lesson! I bought him a voucher to do so last Christmas and he ended up losing it! Thankfully though Sligo Aero club keep a record of vouchers sold so, there were able to find it on file and he could still use it! We've had to reschedule his lesson a number of times due to bad weather mostly. This has been ongoing since about November and we were both worried he wouldn't get to do it before we left! The weather was on our side on Saturday and he finally got to fly! Unfortunately, I couldn't go with him as, he flew in a small duel control, two seater plane which left no room for me! I was allowed to hang around on the airfield though! Larry said it was an amazing experience and he got to see scenic Sligo from a whole new perspective! Who knows, maybe he'll one day end up with a pilots license!? Coincidentally, while we were there, the Irish Coast Guard got called out on an emergency call! I got to see the search and rescue helicopter warm up and take off! Pretty cool experience!

Dual control plane for Larry's
first flying lesson!

My lovely boyfriend Larry pictured
next to the plane! 

In the "drivers" seat! 

Taken mid-flight with Larry in control!
Thanks to his instructor for this one!

The Irish Coast Guard

On top of what was already working to be one amazing week, I then received the ultra amazing, fantastic news that my very own sister is also engaged!To much excitement to process! Her now fiancé proposed to her during a short holiday at the scenic Grand Canyon! I am beyond thrilled for both of them! I only have two siblings and a small family as it is so, really looking forward to helping her plan it, the hen do and of course, the actual wedding whenever it rolls around!

This week is my last week in work. My last day is on Saturday and I am looking forward to it. I'm hoping once myself and Larry are both finished work, his last day is on Friday, that we can properly wrap our heads around Canada. I currently still have loads to do but feel time constraints because I still have work! As my sister is recently engaged, I can't wait to get to Canada and see her! Myself and Larry have also decided to have a going away party, I've actually made appointments to have my tan, hair and make-up done. Why not? Go out with a bang! We're both really looking forward to it! I'm sure there will be pictures to follow!

Thanks for reading!

Ciara.