“Then something Tookish woke up
inside him, and he wished to go and see the great mountains, and hear the
pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead
of a walking-stick.”
–The Hobbit
I just finished reading The Hobbit, a great read for those
looking for an adventure story! As I prepare for my own journey to New Zealand,
I am finding some parallels between Mr. Bilbo Baggins and myself. So that is why I decided to name my blog after the book. Nerdy, I
know…Besides the obvious similarity in height, Hobbits are quiet, comfortable
and content people. I have found myself to be perfectly content with my simple
life in Waterloo and Stouffville. But like Bilbo, whose Took side was abnormal
for Hobbits and loved adventures, there has been something within me pushing
for an adventure. But over the years I have quieted it with other things in my
life. And although I did not have 12 dwarves and a wizard come knocking at my
door, there have been other events in my life that made it seem like it. And
even though I am nervous, I know it is time for me to go.
For those of you that don’t know already, I’ll fill you in.
I am going to be an Au Pair, just a fancy word for nanny, for a family living
just outside Auckland, New Zealand. They have 2 kids, Maggie who just turned 5
and Finn who is turning 8. Now this is going to be a huge change from my
current nannying position with 4 kids under the age of 6. I will be living with
them in their home where I hope to learn more about their culture and to teach
them about the oh so polite and generous Canadian way.
This past year and a half has been a roller coaster. It’s
probably held some of the hardest moments in my life. I lived away from home
for my first summer and struggled to find a job (which is extremely hard on
your self-esteem) and I went through a tough break up. But it has also given me
some of my greatest memories. I convocated from Grebel (a place that developed
me as a person and introduced me to life long friends), I got to stand and
support my friends getting married and I have found my passion for restorative
justice and got to work for an organization (Community Justice Initiatives) that
so actively supports it.
This trip is a chance for me to explore and grow. I am ready to climb mountains, find treasures and meet interesting people
along the way. Who knows I might even find my own ring along the way. I’m
just kidding but that was to good to pass up.*
So I leave in just over 2 months. I am so excited and would love for you to share in my journey. This is the first time I have ever done a blog so bear with me. And to end off my first post here are some cheesy quotes :)
Chat soon,
Dani
*Hobbit references
