Reunions

It's been half a week in Toronto. There hasn't been to much need for adjustments, just lot's of time to see people and be with myself a bit.

I do feel as though the adventure hasn't quite started. I'm living with my brother for the time I spend in TO, and I know Toronto so well that it hardly feels new. I'm feeling comfortable while I'm here, and I know that won't be the case when I arrive in Vienna. For now this is for sure a good thing. I still have a little extra time to sort some things before I sail the seas, which is going to come in handy as I deal with my phone plan, credit cards, make sure I have everything, etc.

I really started to find good friends that I really value from my time spent here in Toronto. I spent 3 years at The School of TDT and had 15 truly talented classmates with whom I was fortunate enough to graduate. Now upon revisiting, I've been looking through my contacts and realizing who I really truly want to see. Some I'm unsure of whether I'll be able to reach them before I leave... I would clearly love to see all of them, but this week I've seen a few that have been some great reconnections.

My roommate and best friend, Miguel, in my last year of school has remained close compared to some classmates, which is natural and doesn't mean I love them less. I was very grateful to see Miguel and his boyfriend for a sushi date Friday night. I always love catching up with him. Sometimes I wonder what it will be like, and if I've changed too much for us to find common ground, but it was like old times!

And we had some good times :)

On Thursday night I also got to see my good friend Vanessa. What a hippie that girl is turning into. I mentioned to her that when  you don't see anyone except for on Facebook, all you see of them is what they post. For Miguel that includes a lot of selfies and videos of him playing music, and for Vanessa it's articles about the moon's position in the sky and past life regressions. I went with Vanessa to a poetry reading and book launch in Kensington, where I met a lot of her friends from a festival she attended. It was great to be able to be with a group of young people so caring and inviting. Not a moment did I feel awkward or alone in the crowd of people that knew each other, which I find rare in most situations. A cool thing to be at.

This morning I went to brunch with two girls I teach in Halifax and one of their mother's. They are both doing the Ballet Jorgen summer intensive and it was nice to see them briefly before I leave and before they start their hardcore ballet intensive.

This weekend is also the pride parade! And what a good pride season this year will be with the entire USA finally allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry! It's kind of nice to see my Facebook blown up with rainbows :) #lovewins. I was not planning on going to the celebrations this year. I think I'd  rather collect myself and save my money for Vienna. I have been to 3 Toronto pride celebrations before so I think the community will forgive me.

All in all, these reunions and the others to come will prepare me that little bit extra for the main event.

happy travels,

G

Departures

Leaving something behind is a travellers nightmare.


Yesterday morning I left from Halifax International Airport to fly into Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and left several things behind.

1. Boyfriend. Over the last year of being in Halifax, my lover has been one of the best friends I have ever had. I'm massively in love with him, and being away from him will be super hard and confusing for this relatively new relationship. However this is a solo trip with the purpose of self discovery. So I couldn't pack my boyfriend unfortunately.

2. Home. This past year after graduating from The School of Toronto Dance Theatre, I returned home to Halifax to live with my parents. Thanks to the generosity of my parents, John and Camille Skinner, I found my footing. Without them I would not be going on this trip. I am now diving headfirst into my discomfort zone, so time for this little bird to fly away!

3. The Woods. For those who don't now, this is actually a professional hip hop company working out of Halifax and artistically directed by Alexis Cormier. This year I worked as an apprentice with them and was promoted to full company member within the year. These artists are an inspiring and beautiful group of dancers and I will bring all my knowledge from this trip home to share with them.

4. Students. I was very fortunate when I returned to Halifax that I had at least one dance teaching job lined up for the year at Coastal Dance. In the middle of the year I started working at Rage Dance Studio as well to help these talented dancers prepare for their dance competitions. As an alumni of Coastal Dance I felt grateful to be so involved in their yearly productions from a different point of view. In leaving I hope to become a better teacher and mentor so I can return brighter and with a few more things to teach them.

Having left all of these amazing things behind for 7 weeks, I am looking forward to this great challenge I have created for myself. AND I also look forward to returning to my loved ones and better able to give more of myself to them.

happy travels,

G

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