Well I apologize that this is going to be a bit retro-active and unfortunately the second time typing this as apparently this website has a time out function of which I was unaware. Please let me know if you are receiving updates and wish not to or vice versa.
I will try to summarize the blog I typed previously of my time getting ready to leave Canada. I finished my last shift with my amazing colleagues in the emergency department on January 16th and while I will not (and still do not) miss the night shifts I do miss my friends from work. My wonderful mother was much more eager to begin the very daunting task of packing up my condo than I was after my rotation just ended. I was focused on sleep and getting my taxes ready for my tax lady to take care of in my absence. It would be so much easier if I was simply just a student with regular student loans but c'est la vie 
Well with my condo packed up I moved into my brother's house to live with his wonderful family and have to fabulous perk of many, many wonderful hugs from my niece and nephews. I also had a pre-birthday / send-off evening with them where Nanette and I enjoyed the lovely bottle of pink champagne I still had in my fridge from when I moved into my condo. I picked up some Cinzeo cinnamon buns for the kids and for the farm, the second box didn't quite make it to the farm. I tried to say goodbye to all but finally left and stopped off to see my cousin Meagan and her family where her handsome son was very charming and even said "bonne nuit" to me on his way to bed, very impressive for a 14 month old. I only made it to Red Deer before the weather closed in with a nasty storm and driving tired and in a snow storm did not appeal to me. The next morning I headed to the farm with a stop for coffee at my cousin Derek's place where is son Grayson made me a lovely cup of coffee, almost without his dad's help . We made the realization that it is tradition now for me to stop and try out any whiskey that I bring back for my father with Derek to make sure that it is okay and passes our high standards .
Well I did finally make it home and thankfully made it out to my Aunty Eileen and Uncle Roy's for a visit before they moved to Lloyd. My dad and I went out there to catch up with them and their two daughters, Colleen and Barb. My aunty Eileen and her sister, my Gran, made my day by coming out to my mom's home and gift party. I do hope that Aunty is enjoying the yellow plate that she wanted very badly. I didn't get to see my Joe but I know he will still be his ornery self when I get home  (fyi - Joe is my horse and only likes when children come to feed him).
I had some quick catching up and goodbyes to say with my family, all of who are amazing for putting up with me since my decision to return to university while being too stubborn to cut out things like working and volunteering while I did this. It has been a very tough few years especially once I started my night shift rotations. I had some special quality time with Dana and Julia that night as well and you have to love the special hugs you get from them.
Then my aunty Bev, my mom and I were off to Saskatoon for my flight. We stopped in North Battleford for some requisite Timmies and met up with my cousin Conroy and his wife to switch vehicles . Unfortunately the kids were not with them but we had a good if quick visit which resumed later at Natalie's house. I am so proud of the beautiful and loving home that my cousin has made for her family and what adorable girls she has. Reece and Kaylee kept us very entertained that night and I managed the be quite the helpful aunt and get Kaylee hooked on the smurfs game before I moved on.
The next morning I had to be at the airport for my flight to Calgary and then London. The roads were icy so my aunt was a very patient aunty as I teased her that "I guess we shouldn't drive a cop's vehicle like we stole it should we ". Regardless, we made it to the airport safely and with heaps of time. We ran into 3 or 4 people that we knew at the airport (only happens in SK). It does seem strange to drive from Calgary to Meadow Lake then fly from Saskatoon to Calgary before flying off for 6 months but storing my vehicle in Calgary was not an option I was keen on plus this way I get to see my parents straight away when I get home.
In Calgary I had an 8 hour layover but my friend Launa picked me up for a lovely lunch and dropped me off where I volunteer where I was able to leave my credentials and wrap up some final bits of documentation then I was back at the airport and I flew out to arrive in London the next morning.
You have no idea how excited I was and how surreal it still felt that I had wanted to do a semester abroad since my time in New Zealand so many years ago and now it was finally happening. I knew that there were going to be a lot of challenges but that there would also be many more rewards from this experience.
À bientôt
Tan