at last
As the airplane touched down on the Vancouver runway I felt a sense of relief.
Home. At last.
I sat beside a former flight attendant who was coming home from a cruise. I told her my story. I told her how excited I was to see my boyfriend because I had to tell somebody.
When the plane landed she motioned for me to move ahead of her and her husband, “You have important things to do,” she said, “go ahead.”
He was waiting for me with a big grin and I fell into his arms with ease. I wrapped myself in his familiar warmth and smell and knew that I was finally home.
Being back in Vancouver feels right. The Pacific Ocean and the great mountains remind me of natural beauty, while this slow moving city is picking up its pace with the Olympics coming any day now.
I was going to spend my first few days here doing nothing at all, but I am my mother’s daughter and I like to keep busy. I’ve been cooking, baking, organizing, joining a gym, and yesterday I visited my brother and had my first job interview.
I’m determined not to spend the rest of my life as a waitress and am applying for TV jobs so that I can pursue my dreams. I want to be proud of what I do, to use my brain, my people skills and my creative talent on a daily basis.
Right now, anything feels possible. I have a place to call my own. My suitcase unpacked. A wonderful man that loves me so much he surprised me with fancy new baking equipment and a gift certificate for my favourite organic grocery store (he knows me too well).
Tonight we’re heading further up into the mountains to see Whistler before the Olympics take over.
I’m excited to watch this city transform and will be capturing a lot of the action through my blog.
It might not be Paris, but it’s home, at last.
Welcome home gift. And yes, that is French butter.
Staples at our place
Kale, black bean and corn salad with fresh salsa and bean dip
Vancouver getting proud
January 29th, 2010 at 9:51 am
Home Sweet Home
I’m so happy for you! But sad I missed you while you were in Toronto 
Good Luck in pursing your dreams - I know there a good things to come for you!
xoxo
January 29th, 2010 at 10:48 am
so glad you got home safely!! sounds like you had a once in a lifetime experience <3
January 29th, 2010 at 11:03 am
I wouldn’t be able to contain myself either! Good applying to all the jobs, I am sure something will arise. You have so much talent, experience, and knowledge that you simply must share it with the world
Your love is so thoughtful and I’m glad you were finally able to unpack your suitcase.
January 29th, 2010 at 11:22 am
Awh I’m so happy you’re back home in Vancouver now! I was so excited to touch down at YVR when I returned home from europe in December. Good luck with the job interview, you are capable of doing amazing things Gillian!
January 29th, 2010 at 11:31 am
January 29th, 2010 at 11:45 am
Welcome back to the west coast, Gill!
January 29th, 2010 at 11:57 am
hooray! i’m so glad to hear that you have made it home. and are those olympic wrist warmers?! we have got to arrange a swap for some olympic gear, i need to show some canadian pride!
January 29th, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Welcome back! I can’t wait to see what happens for you in Canada. From those wonderful video blogs and your beautiful writing it’s obvious you won’t be waitressing forever
January 29th, 2010 at 1:41 pm
Glad to see you home and happy, and I’m so excited that I get to witness the Olympics through your blog. It might just be the second best thing to being there and seeing it myself!
January 29th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Hello- I’ve never commented before but I just wanted to say I love your blog!
I also currently live in Vancouver doing graduate studies (I grew up outside Toronto) and have a boyfriend who is still living there… so I can definitely relate to a lot of your feelings lately. I was just at Whistler this past weekend, it was beautiful, enjoy the trip!
January 29th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
AT LAST!!! yeahhhhh!!!! I been looking for an update everyday and finally !! I am super happy for you, Vancouver got its sunshine back! I am trying to get tickets to one of the Olympic Events, would be awesome to experience that! I hate to ask, but when you have a chance…recipes please!! yummies (kale,bean and salsa dip)
i love your recipes, trying to cook and make healthier choices these days… take care…keep us updated and I have my fingers xssed 4 u!! hope u get the job!
January 29th, 2010 at 9:14 pm
It’s wonderful to read your words full of happiness and joy!!
And yes keep us updated and I wish you the best of luck
February 1st, 2010 at 4:58 am
Welcome back home! Glad to hear you made it safe & sound! Best of luck in the next chapter of your life.
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February 2nd, 2010 at 3:49 am
Oh yay it must feel sooo good to get home? As much as it is a joy to travel isn’t it nice to be back to familiar sights & sounds? Oh I am feeling you! I cannot wait to have that same feeling when I finally return home. And go the BOYF. His stocks have gone up! xxx