One challenge that living in a tropical environment for six months did not prepare me for however, was Canadian winters. And this year was one of the coldest in my lifetime. There were several days of wind chills causing it to feel like -30 (and that is Celsius for all you American readers, 243 Kelvin for all you scientists), and a massive ice storm leading to power outages lasting more than a week in some areas.
I arrived in Canada on December 22nd, wearing flip flops (with socks), shorts, and a very light sweater. Six months ago when I left for Indonesia the thought of packing Winter clothing did not cross my mind. Fortunately my pickup party at the airport had arrived well stocked with appropriate Winter gear.
Before I continue on with my Canadian adventure, let's rewind back to December for a couple highlights during the last few weeks of the first half of the school year.
At the end of November, in the prime of my Movember moustache days, some of the fellow teachers and secretaries headed out for a night of pool as one of our last group hangouts before the holidays. I learned that I am just as bad at pool in Indonesia, as I am in Canada.
The pool hall had one of the more humorous male/female washroom signs I've ever seen
In case you were not aware, on top of my teaching duties I coach the boys basketball team. Let me just begin by apologizing to all of my coaches throughout my playing career for not boxing out, being out of position defensively, taking an ill-advised shot or staring off into space while you were trying to tell the team the next play. I now feel your pain as I have experienced all of these things numerous times.
On December 13th, my basketball coaching abilities were put to the test. Our team played our first game of the season and it turned out to be a thriller. With many students making the trip out to watch the game both teams put on a show for the sizeable crowd. Trailing in the fourth quarter one of our players caught fire from beyond the arc and put us back in front. With strong defence and lots of yelling from the coach, our team held on for a 3 point victory. The win was the first in school history, and will allow me to always remember a time where I was undefeated in my coaching career.
The jerseys were strikingly (and confusingly) similar
The picture does not do the riveting pep talk justice! These kids were inspired!
We were the visiting team!
Our girls team (back row) played an excellent second half. . after falling behind 20 - 0 to start the game
Before the game I had joked to one of my students that I would take them out for ice cream if they win. Having completely forgotten I had said this, when one of the players reminded me on the way home I was reminded of two truths; 1) that ice cream will continue to be one of the strongest sources of motivation and 2) that even after 6 months, most people in Indonesia can still not tell when I am joking.
McFlurries for everyone it is!
The following Monday at school a Secretary found me to tell me a student's mother would like to talk to me. I do not teach this student so I assumed it must be something basketball related. She thanked me for taking her son out for McFlurries after the game, and for waiting there with him until his ride arrived. She then went on to thank me for coaching the team and allowing her son to be a part of a team. She said her son has really been enjoying having this opportunity this year and it is great for all the students to work together as a team to achieve a common goal. Thank you to this student's mother for causing me to take a step back and remember what coaching and teaching is all about.
During the final week of the school year we had our staff Christmas party, a school Christmas ceremony with class performances, and our class parties.
Coolest class on campus!
Then it was time to pack my bags and head home to Canada for 3 weeks. . .
Five reasons I knew I was not in Indonesia anymore:
1) On my second day in Canada I arranged to meet up with my dad. Naturally I was about two hours late. I realized I am not in Indonesia any more when he was surprised about me showing up so late. But what was most interesting was how shocked I felt when he told me he showed up at the agreed upon time.
2) There are bagels in this country and they are everywhere. When I went to Tim Horton's (another heavy indicator that I was in Canada) and ordered several bagels and a double double, I can not describe the shock I felt when 1) the cashier understood everything I said without any repeating, pointing, or charades, 2) everything I ordered arrived exactly how I ordered it and 3) They apologized profusely that one item was going to be another 4 minutes, do I mind waiting? This is not Indonesia!
3) On my very first night in Canada I woke up and the power was out. This power outage continued for several days, and over a week for some people. Many criticized Toronto's now world famous mayor for not declaring a state of emergency. What reminded me that I was in a different country was not the fact that the power went out in Canada, this happens all the time in Indonesia, rather it was the response to the power outage that was so different. In Canada a power outage may be called a major inconvenience or a crisis situation, but in Indonesia its just called a Tuesday.
4) When I went on the highway, I went very fast. When the overhead sign on the 401 highways said Express and Collectors moving very slowly, I was still going 60km/h. In the inescapable traffic of Indonesia this "very slow" driving speed of 60km/h would likely be a personal best for most drivers.
5) Contrary to what I have experienced in Indonesia, I am not the tallest person in Canada. This is disappointing to me. Contrary to in Indonesia, I can go outside in Canada without people stopping and starring, asking for pictures, and children smiling and running up to me (or possibly screaming and running away from me). Also very disappointing to me. I had been warned about the decreased sense of importance when returning from Asia back to North America but I never thought it would be this noticeable.
Several of my highlights from my time in Canada included:
Christmas with the family
Santa was generous this year!
Christmas with my girlfriend's family
Christmas (apparently Christmas is not a day but a week) with a couple of my best friends. We attempted cross country skiing, pond hockey, snow shoeing and ice fishing - four more things that do not exist in Indonesia.
Cross country skiing requires Samarai balance
A visit to the newly built Toronto aquarium!
A wedding!
After the wedding ceremony the pasteur immediately approached Lynsey and I with his business card. He then talked with us for a little while but focusing about 95% of his attention on Lynsey and only 5% on me. I guess statistically speaking it is the girl who would make the decision about which pasteur to use.
And lastly, reuniting with friends, some of which are off doing their own international adventures, and family that I hadn't seen in some time.
2013 was a fantastic year and 2014 is showing lots of promise so far! As well as the time I will spend in Indonesia I look forward to trips to Singapore, Thailand, India and The Maldives in 2014. I also look forward to a couple of trips back to Canada as this past 3 weeks has been a reminder of how many great people I have in Canada and that this country will always be my home.
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