Reality Doesn't Just Bite... It Kicks & Punches Too!

The worse thing about vacation is going home at the end of it. If you want to go home after your vacation.. you obviously didn't have a very good trip. Otherwise, going home is the last thing you want to do. And yes I missed my family and my friends... but definitely not my life.

Even before I got home I started to get stressed out about it. I was fully aware that I wasn't going back to Montreal to much. I am a university graduate... who quit my job and has no money! This was not looking good. So now I am praying and praying... to avoid being worried. But it's not working. I am so worried and so stressed! Do I want to find a job in my field or just find any old job? Do I want to start my own business or gain more experience? Do I want to stay in Montreal or leave? And while I'm trying to figure this out, do I just want to go back to the daycare so at least I am making money? Because I wouldn't have to apply there... I would just have to walk in! Arg!

And then, the day I arrived it was one of my ex-boyfriends birthdays! And I think everyone has that ex that you just can't get rid of. You think you're over them... only to find out that you aren't. And somehow... everyday just seems to remind you more of them... no matter how hard you try to forget them! It's actually very annoying! And if all that isn't bad enough... that ex happens to be your biggest weakness. They could very easily have you back without even trying. So I am fully aware that he is this person in my life... so I'm always trying to act extra strong... like I don't need you. But calling him for his birthday was just a reminder that I'm coming back to my boring single life! And remember, I love being single... Ij ust hate being reminded of it! And calling an ex-boyfriend is just a big reminder that your single!

And as though my reality wasn't looking bad enough... they decided to get worse! I felt like I was just fighting with my family. There seemed to be so much tension between me and my immediate family members. Maybe we all forgot what the other was like... and now that they are in our faces again... we realize how annoying thier personality is! Within in one week of being home I have already felt like the stupid family member who only cares about themself... one more than one occasion!

So not only am I broke... I don't have a job and I'm no longer a student... but I'm also single and the worse family member ever! I should have just stayed on vacation!!!

Philippians 4:19

And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Luke 12: 22-26

Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

Thank You Doesn't Suffice

The biggest blessing of both my vacations in Europe have been the hospitality of the people I have stayed with. I kept telling the people I stayed with thank you and they kept telling me that I didn't need to. But I really needed them to know how much I appreciated all that they did for me.

While in Italy, I lived with my best friend and her now husband. They fed me, dragged me around with them and took me sight-seeing... for 4 weeks! While in England, I stayed with my family... who also fed me, dragged me around with them and took me sight-seeing... for a week! Now to some of you this may not seem like a very big deal... but honestly, none of them were obligated to do any of that. They did it just because they wanted to.

I unfortunately, have been to placed and done nothing but sleep... just stay in bed... all day long. Not by choice... only because there was nothing else to do... no one to take me out... drag me around... nothing. And let me tell you... that is a depressing vacation. You never want to spend money on a flight to never leave your room. There's nothing good about it! I have been to Trinidad so many times and I still haven't seen any tourist attractions! It's very sad! And so, since my last trip to Trinidad I was really afraid to go visit people. Because as much as I go to visit someone... after spending all that money I would really like to get out and do something! But sometiems people don't want to stop their lives for their visitors... or they just don't have time. And as much as I have tried to keep my expectations very low... I am always disappointed! So travelling to visit people has become very scary!

And I guess that's why I appreciated my hosts in Europe so much more! I was amazed at how much I got to see and do! And even though Italy had its ups and downs... it was still great! And England was a perfect vacation... I enjoyed every second of it! I am sure every vacation won't be as good as these ones... but at least I have something to hold on to! And I hope that one day I can return the hospitality favor :)

Galations 6:9-10

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

Ephesians 1:16-17

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

Big City Girl

I cried a lot when leaving Italy. I cried when I said bye to my best friend and her husband. I cried when I said good bye to his parents. And I cried when I left the hotel... alone at 4 in the morning in Rome. The last one wasn't really for the same reasons at the others! But I cried big hard tears just the same! But as hard it was to leave... I was excited to get to London. It was going to be a whole new vacation... with family and... West Indian food!

The beginning of my time in England unfortunately wasn't that great... because I waited in Gatwick airport for like 3 hours... while my family was a Heathrow! And it was so cold! And I didn't want to spend any of my money... cos I kept doing the exchange in my head. And thinking to myself... OHMYGAWD! that chocolate bar is like $4.00 Canadian! Then when I finally reached my family... I got to take the train to them. It was very exciting to be in the masses of people. I love masses of people.

And as my time in England progressed, I just found myself in the masses more often. I was in my glee! London is such a big city! And there's just so much activity going on... so much to do. And the best thing about big cities is there public transportation. I love a city that you don't need to drive in... when the buses and subways come really often.

A lot of people complain about the weather in England. But it didn't reallly bother me. Everyday is just a Starbucks and scarf day! I love those days!

The only thing that I would complain about is that there are just a lot of rude people in London. No one says sorry or gives their seat to the elderly. And when you go into a store the workers don't even look at you... no hello or can I help you! I was shocked everytime!

But just the same... I love London! I love big cities! I love the fast paced life... with rush-hour traffick and ram-packed buses! I love huge stores full of shoppers and city lights and the night life! And I guess that describes Montreal too... but London is so much bigger!!!

So now my two favorite places in the world are New York City and London. But there are still more places that I need to visit :P