A lot has happened since we returned 1 month ago. We flew into Vancouver on the 12th of Feb., which happened to be the opening ceremonies for the Vancouver Olympics. For the next week or so we took it easy recovering from jet lag, and watching our fair share of Olympic events. We we lucky enough to attend one game, and feel the excitement in the air: China vs. Russia Women's hockey. Besides the loud drum and persistent yelling from the Russians sitting right behind us, I managed to walk away with 80% of my hearing intact :)
This week we attended the US vs. Korea sledge hockey game and enjoyed every moment of it. I was so amazed with the tenacity and heart of these athletes. Fortunately, I witnessed the US win this hockey game. Being the only American in downtown Vancouver during the US/Canada Men's gold metal game, I had to suppress all my excitement as the US tied the game with less than a minute left. I must say, though, that it's a good thing Canada won that game, because Canadians would not be happy campers, and rioting could have broken out downtown. These Canadians love their hockey and they take it very seriously!
The energy was equally as electric in Downtown Vancouver along Robson St., and along the water where the Olympic torch was burning. It felt so good to be a tourist in the city I now live in.
During the Olympics, Briana and I started looking for jobs and places to live. We ended up settling on associate positions as ND's in a multidisciplinary clinic in White Rock, Canada. We will be working with another ND, 1 acupuncturist, 2 massage therapists, and 2 chiropractors in a brand new 2000 sq foot building. Our philosophies on medicine mirror the owners and practitioners, so we feel really good about our decision to work with them. The website is www.livingwellness.ca, although it will not be ready for another week or 2.
For those unfamiliar with BC, White Rock is a stones throw away from the States. Okay, I exaggerated a little, White Rock is an Olympic stones throw away :) Actually, it's more like a couple miles from the US border, but at least this proximity grants us easy access to the States where everything is cheaper. And now our Seattle friends are closer! Hello Seattle friends!
The first place we looked at for a rental in White Rock we ended up taking it! It's a top floor unit on a 3 story house that overlooks the ocean with panoramic views of sunrise and sunset. The owner, a Turkish gentleman, has lived there for over 25 years and decided to rent his place for the first time this year, and by chance he liked us. We will move in on May 1st. The apartment is like a vacation rental.
Oh, FYI: White Rock is reported to have more sunny days than Vancouver. I like the sound of that!
I'll post a video of the view. Please turn your volume OFF to spare me any embarrassment :)
All in all everything is going really well here. Most of the paperwork regarding my Canada Visa is taken care of, and we are waiting for our ND licenses to process. Unfortunately, we have to take an Acupuncture exam here to get licensure, as LAc's do not transfer from the States. Am I looking forward to studying TCM again and taking another board exam? Not really, but luckily it's just an exam.
We plan on working at the Living Wellness clinic starting April 19th, and in the meantime gather our belongings to move again and prepare all the necessary paper work to practice more efficiently. We'll also shadow Dr. Rachel Stewart, the other ND at the clinic, in early April to gain a better understanding about how to practice in Canada.
Many thanks to those who have read this blog over the last 4 months. It's been an absolute pleasure reaching out to all my family and friends sharing my life's journey.
Much love and blessings!
Drew
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