Before leaving for our trans-Atlantic flight, I had the good fortune to be able to show off a little of my Warsaw to my sister, Stephanie. She spent the term in Switzerland completing a co-op , and stopped in Poland enroute to Canada in order to reconnect with our Polish relatives. Well, and to pay a visit to our little home, of course! She was too polite to tell me to cease my incessant bragging about my city, but I felt a need to enlighten our visitor of all the perks of living in Warsaw. I think that our world-travelling friends, Karen and Patryk (check out their blog, from X with Love), also received an earful during our lovely evening spent together.
My mentality upon returning to Southwestern Ontario was that of an English duchess banned to the wild Bayou (but with the promise of great company). Upon seeing the smiling faces waiting for us and the smell of Polish Christmas goodies, this negative attitude left me. Next thing I know, I was left happily cutting onion for the "Greek-Style" fish that I make for every Christmas Eve dinner. Sitting down to our festive vegetarian meal after breaking "oplatek" (Christmas wafer), it felt like we had never left.
Early the next morning, we piled into the car and journeyed over to Windsor for our great Christmas Feast at the Pawlowicz household. All my sisters and B's brothers were there, along with both sets of parents. I love how everyone gets along and makes the effort to be all together, even though I know that this will not last forever, as everyone will begin to create their own little family circle. I treasure it while it lasts.
New Year's Eve meant another soiree, this one planned by Stephanie. This talented sister of mine, with the help of her boyfriend, Adam, prepared a Jane Bond and the Bond Boys themed party, complete with martinis, beautiful appetisers, and amusing entertainment. The rest of us brought our best looking version of ourselves and a great attitude. At midnight, we clinked our flutes of champagne and earnestly exchanged New Year wishes and some even got some kisses!
We spent some time in both Windsor and in Kitchener, with just one short afternoon in Toronto. We see both our hometowns from a different perspective than we had when growing up there. Depending on what we are looking at, I think that there are hidden benefits as well as limitations to life in these mid-sized cities. Even Toronto, with its mosaic of neighborhoods and cultures had some aspects that both made me smile and wince. However, upon return to Warsaw, I was slightly disillusioned by the grey city that met me. Was is all that I remembered it to be? Did it somehow become less vibrant? The rude customer service rep on the phone was the one that led to a complete snap. Ok, yup, I'm ready to go back to Canada, the land of maple syrup and great customer service.
Truly, I think I felt most comfortable with myself at the airport, where I am just a nomad, full of nervous excitement, waiting to reach the next destination.
But as I sit in our little maison, I know that this place is ours. It looks like we live here, it smells like we live here, and the suitcases are stored out of sight. I love falling asleep on our bed, warming my icicle feet on B's.
Home.
Bisouxx,
B[ZU]