Warsaw Blog

If you want to follow my next chapter in life, view it on my new blog titled Anna in Warsaw. (http://annainwarsaw.blogspot.com/)

It's already up and ready.

I arrive there on Thursday afternoon after a 15 hour journey. A long way to travel to start a new life, but it will be worth it. I know it. I can feel it.

And if it doesn't work out, I can always run to Toronto.

Over Weight Limit

I wrote my final exam today. I wasn't going to study for it and with a hang over, I really didn't study. I don't need the grades right now. Not wanting to push for that A that I've always wanted to get. I just need to pass.

It just so happened that I studied exactly what was on the exam and the rest, I bullshitted - thank you BA in Arts.

I'm re-packing again. Got a scale and realized that one of my "extra" luggage is at 80 pounds. Ten pounds over weight limit. I don't even want to know what the really large bag is going to weigh after I put in my duvet, pillows, towels and the rest of my apartment on Wednesday morning.

I keep putting things out. I have so many things to give away. I really wanted to take all my magazines - Macleans, Report on Business, Economist - and I had to take out Report on Business and certain Macleans issues as well as the Economist. My heart already broke when Vogue wasn't going in and imagine in what number of pieces my heart is in right now.

I'm mailing books to my folks at home. Another expensive package. I don't even have room for gifts.

Tomorrow is the last day in Vancouver. Last full day of enjoying the sun and snow-covered mountains. I cannot believe I am leaving the most beautiful place in the world.

The last four days have been heaven. It's like Vancouver is saying to me: Why are you leaving me? I ask myself the same question.

I wish I could pack up my friends in my bags instead and take them with me.

It's starting a whole new life and adventure in another city. It's starting from scratch and it seriously does take two years not only to get established in a city but to make the right contacts and meet the right people who suit you.

And I'm leaving all that behind.

If I was moving back to Toronto, I can't even imagine how I would get all my stuff there. I'd probably have to get my mother to fly out so she can take four suitcases and I take four suitcases. It's a shock to me how much I've gathered over the last two years. It did take some time for me to move things from Toronto to here. I probably should have stopped after the first move back in September 2006. Unfortunately, I didn't. Every time I was there, I picked up something else that I felt I needed and was missing in my life.

Now, the consequence is that I can't fit my life in four bags.

Farewell BM Style

Last night things didn't really go as planned.

The bbq was canceled for numerous reasons so didn't have a goodbye dinner with my friends, instead we had drinks and that was more than perfect.

Afterwards, I headed to the Cobalt for a goodbye concert. Ritual Demise was playing and it was my last chance so see Trevor play on his drums. They were brilliant and the night finished with Mitochondrion and I couldn't believe how amazing they were. Various sounds, drums, stage presence - they pretty much had it all.

I got a bit emotional saying goodbye to everyone I met in the scene. There were lots of hugs and farewells. I don't know if I'll ever come back to Vancouver (other than the convocation ceremony in November). I don't know if I'll ever see these people again. Some I know will cross my path. I can see a number of these guys touring with their bands, so Europe is on their map. I know my path will cross with Trevor. He'll be in Europe soon, so it's not a goodbye forever. We will be friends forever, so for now it is a bitter sweet goodbye, but it's not a forever goodbye.

I got emotional again today. I started to cry just thinking that on Wednesday is the end. An end of an era. I'm saying goodbye to a city that was my home for two years and it's sad seeing that two years have to fit into four bags. Now, you try doing that. I'm leaving a number of things behind for people to take because I just can't take it. What I can take are the memories I created here and take the people I met here in my heart and bring them with me wherever I go.

Another Award

I have received some good news.
I entered the EU-CAN Young Journalist Award back in January with an article about Polish immigrants not coming to Canada but choosing to stay in Europe and mostly headed to London. Sort of on the lines of my thesis.

I found out that I was selected as one of the three winners in Canada.

I am being flown to Ottawa for a ceremony to receive my award on May 15th. Then the grand prize is a week in Brussels at the EU. June 1-7th! I am incredibly psyched about being able to see the whole EU organization. My program is going to be all about what I want to see and who I want to meet and what meeting/conference I want to be part of. For me, it's all about immigration, enlargement and climate change. I am going to have a fabulous week in Brussels meeting lots of officials and sitting in on the discussions.

It's all paid for: flights, accommodation, food.

Words cannot describe what I'm feeling. My parents are ecstatic. My dad couldn't be prouder. My hard work is finally being recognized and what better way to start as a journalist than to receive such an honour. They cannot wait till May. They're going to be front and center at the ceremony. I love them for their support - if it wasn't for their faith in me, who knows if I would even believe that I can or deserve this award.

I wish I could celebrate this with Kathy.

Kathy, my love, I dedicate this award to you.

If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have recognized that I wanted to be a writer. I wouldn't have gone to Europe or UBC and seen what options are out there for me.

I have been able to accomplish all this because of your faith in me.

I will take you in my heart and you'll be a part of me in Brussels and everywhere I go. I love you and I thank you for inspiring me.

I'm packing right now. I found an over-sized bag and I'm stuffing it with clothes. I'm trying to see if I can pack everything up in four bags. This is just a test and it will probably be re-packed this weekend.

I am incredibly moved right now. It's hard thinking that everything in this apartment needs to fit into four bags.

If you want to read the article that won the award, it was published (a different version) in Warsaw Business Journal. It's available online and I did post a link to it before. Here it is again.

My work is also supportive about me going to receive this award and bring it back and put it on my desk.

I was asked today what I need to successfully do my job. I know I'm getting two computers and I'll be sharing a TV with the editor-in-chief. I requested one of those computers is a Mac. I don't think I can go back to a PC. It will be hard. I should have probably asked for a corner office with a window overlooking a castle - that will help me do my job. Ha!

To a Fabulous Woman

Dearest Kathy,

There was so much I wanted to tell you. There was so much I wanted to thank you for, but we ran out of time. I know you were there with me during my Vancouver adventure. You were the force and inspiration behind my decision. You were my mentor and forever will be in my heart.

You saw something beautiful in me that I didn't know existed. You saw my strength, potential and encouraged me along the way. There was never a moment you didn't support me. There was never a moment you doubted me. You only saw the best. You saw the best in the whole TP.com team. If it wasn't for you, I'm not sure we would have gone on to pursue our dreams: teacher, mother, designer, journalist.

You never stopped me, even though you had many opportunities to keep me at TP. You knew there was a whole world out there ready for me to explore and I remember the deal you made with me: If you go to UBC, I'll give you an umbrella. And you did.

Today, my dreams are becoming a reality. I'm following in your footsteps. I saw what a wonderful and amazing job you did with the TP website and I've grown in confidence that I too can take all that knowledge and implement it in my next step. I know you'll be there with me in Warsaw. I'm sorry I won't be able to send you a postcard. You know how much I love sending them. But you will be there with me. You'll see it all for yourself.

Your guidance, moral support, encouragement and beautiful smile will never be forgotten. It will always live on in my heart. You'll always live on in my heart. You are a beautiful light that shined into many lives and you've touched so many people. We all love you. You will be missed. I love you.

Packing Steps

I have a lot of worries right now. There's 14 days until I leave.
Before I go, I need to wrap up a lot of things. There's the issue of a thesis that never seems to satisfy. Article, essay and an early exam and a thesis symposium.

I did take my grad photos yesterday and it felt amazing being in that gown. I really want to take a walk across that stage and receive my diploma. I won't be able to do it in May, but I hope I can do it in November.

Then there's the matter of finding my lost earing, fix a broken ring and sew up a riped coat. That all happened in one weekend! It was bad luck after bad luck.

Then there's the matter that the guy I really like has been ignoring me for the last four days. I guess it's his way of protecting himself from the fact that I'm leaving in 14 days. Not the best way to deal with this, but I can't change people, nor will I ever even begin. Seems like too much work.

I started to pack up. I took all the picture frames, wrapped them in bubble wrap and put them away. I also took all the candle holders, wrapped them up. Put away a lot of photos. Went through my clothes and have a pile ready for donation.

I managed to cancel my air miles, newspaper subscription, shoppers points and that's just six things off my list of about two pages.

I don't think I'll manage in time. I won't manage in time.

I want to leave on good terms with everyone, but it's hard when people ignore you.

When Will It End?

I have just been spending my time re-writing my academic piece and the long form journalism.

I finally submitted a second version, for more critique. Of course.

March 26th - that's when I submit everything and I hope it just goes away. But, I know it won't. There will probably be a final revision before the final bound thesis needs to be bound by April 18th.

But, April 16th at 4:00 p.m. I am going to be on a plane. That leaves me an hour for the thesis symposium and I'm off on a jet plane (sing along with me).

My parents are off in the Dominican on their second honeymoon (actually, first). They never had one after they were married.

Got an email that pretty much went like this: Thank you so much for the wonderful gift. Dad is relaxed. He's out with his camera every day recording nature. The food is wonderful. The weather is great. And today another email telling me it's brutally hot and no waves and she must run because dad is already waiting on the beach. Fine, rub it in. I'll just sit here and write.

I talked to my grandmother yesterday. She is so excited. After she went to bless the egg basket in church, she ran into one of my cousins that said, "I heard Anna is moving to Poland." Interesting. I've been keeping this a secret and yet, people are starting to know. Well, word spreads fast in small towns.

I've let my mom's best friend know. She is so psyched. She is going to tell all the other girl friends. I wouldn't be surprised if they all showed up at the airport with balloons and signs.

One of my friends recommended I arrive in red and white and kiss the ground when I land.

I'm mentally already there.

Poland - Here I Come!

I purchased my one-way ticket to Poland. I leave April 16th in the afternoon, so I still have an hour in the morning to go to the thesis symposium. I arrive on April 17th and the following day I'm meeting my new bosses.

Andy, the big chief, has been conversing with me for a while now. He sounds like a great editor and he's telling me all about the team and I'm psyched. I cannot wait to meet them.

I wrote two articles for the last issue under the theme of Polish immigration to Canada.

Where have all the Poles gone? and Polish-Canadian relations: Visa-free at last.

Now I'm working on another article and I hope there will be many more.

The only bad news is the apartment thing fell through. But, that's ok. I will find something else. My aunt and uncle will help me find something over the weekend after I get there. They're already looking through ads. Good to know that I have such good family out there.