Journeying to the Fatherland!

So, I'm off again. My nomadism leading the way - although this time it's not prompted by an urge to leave where I am. This time I actually kind felt like I wanted to stay where I was, enjoy what I've been enjoying of life. I've always wanted to go to Jamaica - a few years ago, even last year felt it was almost essential to my health and growth as a person, as a Canadian who is not accepted as fully Canadian by so many of my compatriots. I don't feel that need so much anymore - or hardly at all. But still, when people ask me if I'm going to Jamaica on vacation I say no - because that's not what it is either - it's not about relaxing or exploring - seeing tourist attractions, etc. It's about knowing and discovering where a part of me comes from, where certain passions and desires I have that seem typically un-Caucasian come from.

It's very odd the way life just changes and twists and takes us places we didn't intend or think we'd be journeying to. After I bought the tickets for this trip my mother pointed out that I would be flying for Jamaica on the exact day I was scheduled to return from Korea. It made me think of how different my life of the past six months has been from what I had decided it would be. I read the blog I wrote before leaving for Korea last night. I thought I was leaving my home for a year - most likely never to return as a permanent resident again. I thought I was leaving my family and friends for a year - some potentially to never see again. And so much has changed by the choice to come home. And I'm so thankful for the past six months. (Not that I have any regrets about going to Korea - I had some wonderful experiences and learned a lot while there -but I also don't have any regrets about coming home early, despite missing the cherry blossoms!). I've had incredible moments with my niece and nephew - the rest of my family. Being able to enjoy the Christmas holidays with Sheldon, Clinton and his children would have made the return home worthwhile, but I've also had great experiences with my friends here, made some new friends who I'm truly thankful I've made. People who have taught me things, who have inspired me, who have given me renewed hope and belief that there is a chance of a future that coincides with dreams I have for myself (as a lot of those hopes had been dashed).

For the past couple of weeks I've been feeling very ambivalent about this next experience, but in the last day or two excitement has come! I'm going to be meeting family members I've never met and old friends of my parents. I'm going to be a part of reuniting members who didn't even know that other relatives were on the island. Yup - tomorrow seems too far away!

Some pics of good moments from the last couple of weeks . . .