Three years seems like a long time. I know there are still days when it's hard to believe I committed to stay here three years. Three Years!!! But then... there are other times when you realize just how fast three years can past.
May 25th 2006 - The day I left Canada to start this big worldly adventure.
And the time has flown... and yet at the same time. So much has happened since then, so many changes in my life. So I thought I'd share a couple of them.
Three Years ago:
- Well to start off with, three years ago the only continent I knew was North America. Now I know nearly all of Europe and Scandinavia and have touched the tip of Africa (and Asia too if you count the other half of Istanbul) And yet I still have an unquenchable desire to see more of the world.
- Three years ago I had a lot of Canadian friends. Now I have friends from all around the world. In every single country in Europe, in China, Japan, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, India, Brazil, Columbia, Mexico and the list could go on. I've learned so much from these people, different cultures, different languages, traditions, foods....The world is spectacular!
- Three years ago I spoke one language, albeit a very useful language, English. Now...well I can almost say I'm bilingual, as I'm getting more and more comfortable in French...finally. Of course over here that isn't saying much as everyone here speaks no less than 3 languages. But for me... coming from the stubborn boy back in Junior High who declared he'd never need a stupid language like French and promptly transferred out of the course... it's an accomplishment. Plus I can swear in like 5 different languages haha
- Three Years ago I could make bacon and eggs. Amazing what living on your own will do for you. Of course, my saving grace is the wonderful world of the internet with it's plethora of recipes. But I've since made all kinds of things French Onion soup, Spanish Omelette, Beef Stroganoff, Shepherds Pie etc... I'm no chef... but we eat pretty well chez nous (our house).
- Three Years ago I had a car.....*sigh* It's been a bit hard adjusting. I grew up in/with a car. I got my learners at 14. Bought my car at 15. Got my drivers license the day I turned 16 and since then have driven well over 200,000km in over 10 different countries and 20 different states. And now...I'm a bike man. I go everywhere I need on bike/metro/bus and we rent a car if needed for a weekend excursion. Still not easy to get used to....
- My internal clock has switched to France/Spanish time. I now eat dinner around 9-10pm, go to bed a little after midnight. When we go out to the bars, we don't even meet up until 11pm-midnight and the finishing hour...well that depends ;) I'm usually at work by 8am, but the work hours are flexible which is nice.
- Three Years ago I wouldn´t touch a glass of wine....but when in France...
- One of the most important ones. Three years ago I had no aeronautical experience whatsoever...only a dream to find my way into the aeronautical industry. Now...I've got a Masters Degree in Aeronautics, am currently pursuing a Doctorate in Aeronautics and I work for the biggest aircraft manufacturer in the world. Not bad...
But don't worry everyone. I'm still Logan. Some things never change:
- I'm still a goof. I'll admit it. I'm hardly ever serious. I make jokes, I make funny bird sounds, and I still like to pick wrestling fights (most notably with my mom).
- I'm still Mr Event Organizer. It hasn't changed. I'm often the guy who wants to organize camping weekends, trips, bbq's. I like doing this stuff.
- I'm still playing as much sports as possible. In addition to my daily wii tennis battle with my roommate Bruno (it's actually quite intense, don't laugh), I play soccer and volleyball on my department's team for the Airbus inter-departmental league. And I play soccer quite often with the guys from work. And it seems contagious but I've gotten the nickname speedy Gonzales now in three different countries.
- I'm still no closer to being married than I was three years ago. But that's ok. If I were living back in Canada I might feel the pressure since nearly EVERY one of my friends is married. But luckily for me, it's the opposite here because NONE of my friends here are married... and none plan to be in the near future. People here get married in their 30's. So it's a good place for me to be :-)
- And lastly my best friends are still my best friends. No matter how far away I live.
