Welcome to Ireland; Failte Ireland

After a long night and a sad goodbye at the airport I'm all nerves and sleeplessness. And a transfer of airplanes in Heathrow airport has calmed my nerves, I got to talk to Derek, and now I feel reassured and ok about the crazy things that have been going through my head over the last 6 hours or so as I travelled over the Atlantic.

I have to say that the best thing I did was spending the extra money and bring a third piece of luggage. That way I know I’m travelling with all sorts of useless items like cookbooks and oven mitts that may seem stupid to one person but will make me feel at home over here. It also allowed me to bring more shoes than I think some people own in a lifetime!!! But no one has to judge me about that, it’s really about whatever makes me happy!

So I’m at Dublin Airport, and my three bags have made it, this is a good start to the adventure, now I just have to hope that Derek is there to meet me and, he is and I think he might be looking as weirded out by this situation as I'm feeling (I’m hoping I’m hiding it better than him). Awkward silence, followed by sneaking side glances and wondering if this will be as good as it should be.
So we’re off to see the apartment that Derek has chosen for us to live in, I’m sure he has felt the pressure in having to pick and provide the deposit and sign the lease without being sure if this will work. And not to mention the pressure he’s under to prove that he has decent taste in apartments and that he hasn’t found something I’m going to hate living in. But to be fair I did see some photos of the place before I left Montreal and I did give my ok on the place, but it was still up to him to make the final decision.

And when I walk into the apartment I can see myself living there? after putting my mark on the place, and I can see he’s made an effort, he’s made the bed and he’s put glasses and cutlery away, he’s even gone so far as putting a set of candles from his soon-to-be sister-in-law in my bathroom and I can tell he wants me to love the place so badly and there’s good news for him, I do.

Prologue: Setting The Stage

Left behind: Well most importantly left behind was my family and friends, although I feel I had their full support for making the move and changing my life. Leaving was hard, airports have not become my favorite place and they mean change and taking a risk. This is a big one. I have left my job, granted I have taken a leave of absence so if things don't work out I can go back, my position in the hierarchy system of the hospital is safe. I have handed over the keys and belongings of my apartment to my sister, a bit coincidental how things worked out that when I was ready to leave she was coming home. So while I was looking to find something to do with my things, Katherine is looking for the exact same things! Perhaps it wasn't a coincidence... just a thought. I also think I should mention that I have left behind the winter, the freezing chill you to the bones can't get warm again cold is just about to arrive in Montreal and I'll have left that behind! Although I will miss the snow, I'm not sure I want it if it means the minus 30 degrees temperatures!
Looking forward: So I set out on my journey, I take what has to be the biggest risk of my life, I try not to look back and instead look forward to what ever there is in store for me. I think the most important thing is I think if I didn't make the move, pack things up and try out something new, this would be the biggest regret of my life and in an effort to have no regrets I'll take on the challenge and see what's in store for me.