With our GPS coordinates punched into the GPS, a tank full of gas and a Timmies in my hand, my dad and I headed out this morning to go see my cousin. She lives north of Barrie, an anticipated two hour trip up and away from everything and everyone, where her and her husband have opened up a comic book shop. But it's not just a comic book store though and I realized that right when I walked in. I've seen pictures of their shop on Facebook and had a good feel for the place but stepping into it was a whole other thing. They host card games, sell comic book memorabilia, have their fair share of regulars hanging out... they're doing with their comic book shop what we are doing with our boxing club. They're making a community and their shop is a safe, fun place for the local residents to come hang out in. It's almost as if selling comic books really has nothing to do with the bigger picture of the club, with what they're actually doing there, and I love that.
My cousin's family also came out so I got to see so many of my family members -- cousins, second cousins, aunt, and uncle. In total, there were 13 of us.
We hugged, we laughed, we joked,... and then we ate lunch together.
Then we hugged, laughed and joked some more.
I long trip out to see family was then followed by a long drive back and it was a bitter sweet moment having to say goodbye to them. I played it cool but got choked up when I had to say goodbye to them because I really don't know when I'll see them next.
I really don't know when I'll be able to visit Canada again. Our 5-10 year plan for Hulk's looks like it might be put into motion in the next 2-3 years. It'll take us 2-3 years to prepare for it, 1 year to do it, then another 2 years to make sure it's stable enough for me to venture away for another vacation like the one I'm on. I figure that I won't be able to come to Canada for another 5-8 years.
Time to start getting friends and family to fly out to Korea.
But, for the time being, I am here in Canada so I'm going to surround myself with family and friends until I have to go.
Tonight I met up with one of my close buddies from university. I was supposed to meet up with him almost an hour and a half earlier than I did thanks to one super grumpy TTC attendant who sent me, a total tourist now that so much has changed, in the wrong direction. How annoying but I showed up. Showed up soaked and minus $40 for unexpected taxi ride. It was all up hill from there though because I've got solid friends and my boy J is awesome. With his sense of humour and his smooth move dancing, heading out to a local bar to enjoy some music together is always a good time. I ended up talking to more than just him though and I think we must have met a zillion billion new people.
Canadians are just so friendly but throw them a drink and they're so hilariously friendly!
Funny random story here, as it turns out 3 out of the 4 university buddies I have whom I still am close with didn't actually go to my university. How funny is that?! I knew one of them went to an art school but I thought he was taking the random class at my university, York University. I knew two of them were older than me but we've got continuing students at York, students who are part timers or don't fit the stereotypical young university student image. But three of the four of them only showed up for the parties at York, too funny. Probably the best thing I got out of university was the friendship of these 4 people and 3 of them didn't even go to my school... how's that for irony?! Hahaha.
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