Busy

Ok, so I've been a bad blogger again, but unlike all those other times of luckluster updates this time I actually have good reasons.

My mom and I are getting ready to go back home to Poland for the summer in mid-June.

We've been running around like crazy getting our passports ready, getting our tickets, and all the other good stuff one needs to consider when travelling.

I can happily report, that we are now about half-way there. We received our passports last week (my first Canadian Passport after 14 years yay! *lol*).

I was actually surprised by how well the picture turned out usually I look absolutely atrocious on all my goverment documents. Hats off to the photographer.

The week prior we found a great air travel deal. So we are all set. Well, almost now we just need to find some really good luggage.

This year for the first time ever we'll be flying on our national (Polish) airline so that will be interesting. I hear the food is really good (or as good as airplane food could be I guess).

I was debating on whether to go or not because I'm not a good traveller, and I'm really not fond of planes. But after much soul-searching and deliberation I decided the pros outweigh the cons.

I must admit that just the thought of going home after 12 years is quite unsettling.

I think I'm most afraid of that outsider feeling that will undboutedly surface (despite being among family and friends).

Which is ironic because the last time I felt like this was the first time I stepped foot in Canada.

Aside from that apprehension though I am really looking forward to seeing my whole family again. Especially my grandmother.

I miss that feeling of closeness that we always had when I was growing up. And I miss that big family atmosphere that you can only get when you're around one another.

I'm looking forward to seeing my childhood friends again as well.

Although I am also extremely disappointed that the one friend I really wanted to reunite with will not be able to make it.

Actually I don't think disappointed is a strong enough word. Crushed might be more accurate.

The disadvantages of living in different countries really suck sometimes. Guess it's just another reason for me to head over to England one of these days.

And although I will miss many things here at home (my cockatiel, my dad and most importantly the comfort of my own bed).

I'm really looking forward to a month of humid-free, worry-free vacation.

The day I've been dreading has arrived......

Well as they say all good things must come to an end, such was the case today when we took my niece and sister back to the airport :( .

Where did the summer go?, seems like only yesterday we were picking them up at the airport.

My niece was clearly happy to be going home, understandably so since all her friends are in Poland. She was definitely not looking forward to school though, and I can't say I blame her.

My sister on the other hand really didn't want to go, whether it was the long journey itself or wanting to stay I'm not sure, maybe a bit of both.

Once again the ride to the airport was very quiet, I did most of the chatting to break everyone out of their thoughts.

When we got to baggage check-in we all knew goodbye was inevitable, so as we got to the gate we all hugged each other one last time.

I always find that last moment to be the hardest, it's so difficult to walk away when your heart is so heavy with the knowledge that it'll probably be a while before you see each other again.

This whole day has been very hectic and full of nervous energy with both of them packing, making sure they have everything in all the rush they always seem to forget something anyway. This time was no exception *lol*.

Thankfully it wasn't anything vital. The hustle and bustle of this afternoon was such a contrast to the quiet that awaited us when we got home.

I suspect it'll be a good couple of weeks before I get used to all the quiet and to being alone all day again. It is definitely gonna be weird.

At the time I write this they've barely been gone 2 hours, but I already miss them.

As we were leaving the parking lot en route to the airport, the parental units started to bicker as usual, I jokingly turned to my sister and told her "great now I'm going to be blamed for everything again".

And we had a good laugh, but I think we were both aware that I was only half kidding. I loved having the parental units attention diverted from me.

Now that they're gone it'll be same old same old with me at the centre again.

Oh well, c'est la vie I guess. Hopefully it won't be too long before we're all reunited again, maybe even as soon as next year *fingers crossed*.

Bon Voyage

A bittersweet moment with my sis and her husband

The whole family (once again sans mom) outside the airport just before saying goodbye

They always say that sorry is the hardest word (there's even a song about it) but I think goodbye ranks right up too.

I hate having to say goodbye doesn't matter whether it's a friend or family member. It makes things so much more difficult of course if it is a family member.

We drove my brother-in-law back to the airport yesterday (he's heading home to Poland after staying with us in Canada on vacation the last couple of weeks).

The ride to the airport was horrendous, not so much due to the traffic on the road (although that didn't help), but because the car was so awkwardly quiet.

All of us were off in our own little world, with thoughts racing a mile a minute.

The closer we got to the airport the more quiet things became. As we neared baggage check in and the security area, it became more and more difficult to hold in the tears.

My dad and I managed to rein in our emotions (although I did start to break-down as we started to hug). It was especially tough with both my niece and sister looking teary.

I always find the hardest part is walking away from the airport, knowing that every step you take, gets you further and further away from the person who's leaving.

What softened the blow this time was the knowledge that my niece and sister were not the ones leaving yet.

It also made me realize that as difficult as this goodbye had been, saying goodbye to them will be a hundred times worse.

But for the time being I'm going to stop thinking such gloomy thoughts and enjoy the time we have.

Family festivities

Well, the family and I (sans mom who was sick) went out to celebrate Canada's Birthday yesterday.

Met up with a friend I haven't seen in a while, fun was had by all. Here's a few pics of the happy family.


We took some pics of the fireworks show that was going on as well (for which we waited an eternity!, ok 15 extra minutes but still).

Unfortunately I haven't yet figured out the camera setting for taking good night photos, so those didn't turn out too well.

Luckily, we were able to make a video instead, enjoy;-).

A family affair

I've been waiting to blog about this for a few months now, but had to hold off until all the details were worked out and finalized. Now that they have I can finally say it.

Tomorrow, (well technically 12 hours from now) I will be heading off to Pearson International Airport and picking up my sister, niece and brother-in-law who are coming over from Poland for a visit. To say that I'm excited would be an understatement.

Ecstatic would be more appropriate.

I haven't seen my niece since she was 8 so at least 7 years, my brother-in-law for almost twice as long and my sister at least 4.

I'm sure I'll be a complete emotional wreck come tomorrow afternoon.

It'll also be interesting to see how the baby of our household aka our cockatiel Cuba will handle having 3 new people in the house.

But I'll keep this short for once lol, have to get up early so I'm off to hit the hay. Updates may be slim the next couple of weeks since I'll be busy doing quite a bit of sightseeing, but we'll see.

BLOG ARCHIVING 101

I was debating on whether to say anything about this but my frustrations on this issue won out. Before I get to what this is all about I just wanna say this is only a friendly reminder though it's delivery may not sound as such blame it on the type of mood I'm in.

Ok, so on with the topic, I think a lot of people from my visitors, to my friends, to my family members are under the impression that my blog is only focused on Tennis. And I admit it may seem that way at first since the main reason I started it was to share my passion for the sport with other people. But I must point out that the reason people have that impression is because a lot of them don't check the little feature on the blog called an archive.

Let me explain how it works, first off any topic that I write on any given day will be at the very top, that's because an archive sorts the posts in accordance to it's date so the most recent post will always be at the top and the days proceeding it will be at the bottom.

I also have to point out that when clicking on an archive (located right underneath previous posts on the right side of the blog) you are looking at the total posts from the entire month not just one day (for example the month of March). So that means the month may contain anywhere from 1 to 31 posts.

Oh, and I cannot stress this point enough when visiting my blog be sure to scroll down and read the entire page (keep going down till you see the page counter) because as I've mentioned above the month contains more then one topic. I know it may seem time consuming to some but that's just the way the blog is set up, one month is one long page.

Is anyone detecting frustration at this point? lol

Oh, and one more thing I did start the blog last year which means it now contains topics from 2006 and 2007 so be sure to click on them that's what they're there for.

Again please remember to scroll down, I'm sick of being accused of covering only one topic, when in fact I cover many.

Hope this helps and happy reading to all.