Part Seven: Finding 'Home'

Most of this blog has been dedicated to the things that I've been able to see and do so far in this very new and different chapter of life. I even think I might have mentioned the climate here at some point. But today, the Macau Interlude is about something else. This is on the subject of finding a home, somewhere, in this new place.

Living away from everything that you've known most of your life is a big jump. I mean HUGE. I have so much respect for all those people who have done it, are doing it, or are about to start doing it. I've never experienced anything quite like it before. Living on your own is also different that what I expected at first. For those of you who saw the video, the snaps, the blog post from a week ago, I was (and still am) very pleased to get a place of my own for the first time ever. But there's something very different about having your territory, a place no one else is involved with or even sets foot in (So far). Coming home to an empty house, things being exactly where they were left (I.E. laundry still not put away, empty cereal bowl still on the counter, etc), as nothing happens while you're gone. Nobody to check on to see how their day's been, or to have dinner in the midst of cooking, or a cat to call inside and rub it's chin (believe me, I've thought about adopting a cat many times since I've arrived here). Yes, it can be lonely. I get those feels at times.


Coming from an almost uninterrupted period of school, camp & breaks filled with contact with people , there hasn't ever been a time like this where life has been quite so, well... lonely. Right now, sitting in an empty apartment, writing this, there is a sort of contrast to how things have been. It's a relative contrast; I couldn't have lived life as a student forever (OSAP would certainly come knocking), I probably wouldn't have found any decent work close to home (at least without a grueling commute), and I couldn't have maintained the kind of social life that my formative years allowed me as friends find new jobs, become involved in deeper/more romantic relationships, and generally grow apart as time elapses. I understand that. I will do my utmost to maintain those relationships (some people get jazz tunes, some people get pictures, some people (Brent) get classified car ads that make my more impulsive side writhe for control. Anyone on snapchat will get the odd silly update from my life. Despite this, I miss people at home a lot. At times, it's very a lot. The odd moment I will see someone's picture (like my own here) and it will be tremendously very a lot.

That being said (and I still have to tell myself this at times), there is no time and place like the present. Having lovely people in your presence is the most unparalleled, wonderful feeling that can be felt, and to experience that means making more friends (in a very non-English speaking country, mind you).

The only direction you can move is forward (as you probably already know). For me, most of that means my co-workers, and happen-stance encounters. On that account,they have been a joy to work with. People from all over the globe, of all different ages, interests, and favourite snack-types (you learn that quickly sharing an office with people). However, with the storm of exams on the horizon, and the various things that keeps 'grown ups' busy, I've found it more challenging to spontaneously put hangs together, so that take a bit more work. We'll see...


For me, finding home means doing things that make this new chapter work for me. It means trying new things, revisiting old things, (listening to albums I haven't heard since high school has been a favourite), and a bit of diligence in terms of seeking things out and staying with the neat things I find (notice how I used the word NEAT again).

So far, this is what I've been doing to stay busy and engaged in society:

Swimming in the park. Yes that is just the map of the park, but it's a nice one. This one is Nova Park, called 'Central Park' by the people in the neighbhourhood. It's the closest one to the school, and the one I swim at most often (well, the only one I've swam at, aside from the one you'll see in a bit). A post on Nova park will appear later. 

Live in the village. My part of town (that's right, I own it) is called Taipa Village. It's a nice old part of the city, with old colourful buildings, courtyards & squares, and a myriad of restaurants, cafes and shops I've get to visit. It also has an expat pub called the 'Old Taipa Tavern' that I've been lucky enough to run into staff at once, so that was a fun way to end my mostly anti-social weekend. 

Go to Macau side for things. Macau side (another post on that later) is the more populous and densely-developed part of the city-state. It's a little less gambling centered (only a little) and has plenty of places to shop. Unfortunately, I'm not very good at shopping, so I tend to wander around the city with my backpack for a surplus of 5 hours, only to buy a pair of undershirts, a book or a neat picture I found. Oh, and my blue pants. I really like my blue pants.
Visit Coloane Village. It's probably my favourite neighbourhood in the city. It's at the south-most part of the south-most island, and is the quietest and most European-influenced part of Macau. I go to the market on weekends for my fruit, rice and veggies, and take a few pictures while I'm out here too (you bet I'm going to have a post or three about this place). 

 Go to the casinos for non-casino-related activities. This is the pool I mentioned before. I ran into some staff one saturday who had me join them for someone's birthday. We spent a good 5 hours here and I wouldn't have it any other way. The casinos have some good attractions that are surprisingly not-full of visitors (despite the gambling areas being packed). Oh well, more room for us. 

Cook at home. Well, I suppose the alternative would to be 'not eating', which isn't very fun. Tonight I'm going to attempt coconut sticky rice with mango, as long as I don't butcher the rice like I did the first time. Maybe some people will come over to play games when I get that dining set this week. Maybe... (please come visit). 


I also take the odd picture when I can be bothered. Shout out to our family friend, 'Uncle' Scott, for the wonderful gift that is this camera (seriously though, this thing takes magnificent pictures for a lil babby hand-held). I don't really know anything about photography, so I point my camera at things, press the button, and hope nice pictures come out.

That's about all there is to life here at this point. Even finishing writing this, looking at the things I've been doing and am doing, I still miss the hangs and happenings back in Canada (what I wouldn't give for a patio beer in 20 degree weather). I'm glad to feel the love and support from home. The posts, snaps, skype chats. All these are lovely and great to have (and I will not follow that sentence with any kind of if and or but that diminishes its importance). For that, I am very thankful, and I can only do my best to return it and keep in contact with folks back home.