I’m currently writing you amidst piles of my possessions. I’m downsizing. Again. I arrived in North America from Asia with two suitcases and two carry-ons and I’ve decided to drop back down to one suitcase and two carry-ons. I tend to find the process of collecting my items and my thoughts in anticipation of a change of locations as though I’m preparing for a little death. I make peace with my present life, I appreciate those around me and I get ready for a new chapter.
In roughly two and a half weeks I’ll board a plane and arrive in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange). The conference offers a venue for bloggers, writers, new media content creators and sponsors to network and discuss the travel blogging industry. MBSB began as a creative outlet more than anything but I’m interested in seeing where I can take it.
Sometime after the conference I’ll head to Peterborough, Ontario which lies approximately 125 km northeast of Toronto. It’ll be the smallest Canadian city I’ve ever lived in at approximately 119,000 people. I have no idea how long I’m staying but the intent is to reside no less than the remainder of the year. It’s here that I plan to work on my book about my time training muay thai in Thailand. Despite the stories I’ve shared on MBSB, I don’t think I’ve nailed down even 30%.
So where am I living? What is Peterborough like? I’ve found a spot in a beautiful old house my friends own. I’ve rented a room generally advertised to students and I’ll live with three strangers. I never did the student housing thing while I was in school, I had an apartment on the other side of town, so this will be new. I also haven’t been to Peterborough in about fifteen years. The last time I went, I believe I saw the Greyhound station then slid into a car to head out to cottage country. When I think of my last impressions of Peterborough, meaning the city, not the surrounding countryside, I recall the fourteen year old looking blonde girl who spent the entire AM return ride from Peterborough to Toronto puking until she stumbled off the bus somewhere around Scarborough. That being said, I spent a lot of time in the countryside as a child and it’s there that I first was able to swim in a lake, go fishing and really see the stars at night. I like the idea of writing my book in Peterborough. I suspect the process will be a bit messy and reflective. Seems a fitting place.
Some photos of the house:
Read the next memoir, A July Update, here.
Read the previous memoir, Why I’m Not Currently Training Muay Thai, here.
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