Change

With the approaching end of summer now in sight, I eagerly await the onset of autumn. True, nowhere near my present geographic location will offer the gentle pastoral scene above, but even on a different continent, the cooler temperature, blue skies, and amazing landscapes combine to  make autumn in Canada one of my favourite seasons. September is perhaps the most beautiful months in the continent of North America; it is a positive pleasure to wake early and to take a short pause on the balcony before the day begins, watching the occasional cloud rolling across the deep blue, freshly washed sky. Inspiration comes in spade loads at this time of year, and this year is no exception.

Apart from having commenced school for Francisation recently, which is proving to be a huge confidence and ego builder, other things have developed which combine to give me a good feeling. My dear wife made room in our budget to buy me a sketch book, and with the pencils I brought over from the UK,  and two willing feline models, I am enjoying practising my drawing skills again. This time, leaving the results on Facebook has provided me with valued (and ego-boosting!) feedback about my “skill” level, and encouraged me to continue, taking the hobby more seriously. Going back through my old photographs, I believe painting scenes from my old life in the UK will prove cathartic for any remaining traces of homesickness- as well as challenging my perception skills: how well do I remember those old stone buildings in Stamford? How many statues are there on the amazing West Front of Peterborough cathedral? True, I shall have to refer back to pictures more, but it will also encourage me to take in far more with my eyes!

Of course, I shall be using the sketch book to hone my skills, but as the picture above indicates, sometimes a sketch can become something almost worth displaying!

As a sketch or painting proves to one the utility of taking note of the surroundings, so does my class for language integration help me to appreciate the different people around me. I am not generally considered intolerant, but having a class of people around me, all of whom have something cultural and positive to share, makes one appreciate humanity in general. I am getting to know the individuals very well, and also to discover on a  personal level, the interesting facts about Morocco, Syria, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Colombia and Peru!

Although not amazing in quality, the above picture does show the amazing diversity when one encounters immigrants thrown together with a common objective! We have a lot of fun in class, as it is not all about academic exercises; I am excited to be one of those headed to the apple picking, when the whole of the FFL department will be travelling to an orchard for a day trip. We also have a visit to the libraries here as part of the group, and though for me that is a case of déjà vu, I still eagerly anticipate it! The apple picking day will bring back memories of 2008, when I spent an amazing day with my wife, picking quantities of gorgeous apples, followed by a gratis hog roast and hot dinner, all under the beautiful blue skies of Monterégie.