The District, Graduation and a first glimpse at Toronto

"It is the journey that matters in the end." ~Ursula LeGuin

And so I have said goodbye to four years of my life.
















So, Hye-Jin (my other half) and I decided to make a trip to the FDR to talk and say goodbye. She's never been and I hadn't been in a very long time.

It was a beautiful night and I said my goodbyes to the District and turned my head towards the next morning: graduation.














I don't remember much of graduation. I was in shock. But it felt surreal-- I knew it was coming but four years seemed an eternity away. It's funny how fast it really goes.

Proud AU graduates in Bender Arena. School of International Service and School of Communication (go SOC...that's my school) in attendance.

My two brothers and my brother's girlfriend flew in for the day. It felt good knowing my family was there to cheer me on. I'm the first of the three of us to graduate college. So it's a big deal for my family.

My ROOMIE! My old roomie, at least. One last ridiculous picture for old times sake now that we're "adults." And now after four years together, our paths have parted. She is to remain behind in DC to find a job and I am going back to school to learn more. And put myself into debt more.

Trust me when I say I feel, keenly, the people and things I have left behind. Without realizing it, DC truly became home this year. And in turn, I get up and leave...

For Toronto. After being in Rochester, NY for only one day, I'm back to traveling. This time, to Toronto, the place of my future, the place where this blog is supposed to begin.

And so, I will begin by admitting that I love Canada already. The Canadians are truly friendly--I met a few at a bar the night we were there. They really do have awesome accents, "about" is said "aboot" and they are all about the Toronto Maple Leafs. So far, I find Toronto metropolitan and laid-back, friendly version of New York City--cleaner too according to them.

One day out of DC and already into Toronto. I'm ready for the city life again, for the busy streets, the bright lights and people everywhere. It's a place where you never feel alone and it feels warm and welcoming, unlike most cities. The District often had a feeling of loneliness and isolation in a sea of greedy people, but Toronto feels nothing like it. Perhaps going up to the True North this year will soften the cynicism I've acquired over the years. I'm hoping to work out my place in the art scene and even in the world.

I know that I will thrive in Toronto. I already feel it. But since summer is here, Toronto seems miles away and I'm living for the moment--for those endless summer nights. I've learned to live for the moment now, to enjoy without stressing too much about the burdens of the future, because it won't stop them coming and it will spoil the day in front of me. So, until August 1st, I am not worrying about Toronto or the things to come. But know that soon they will come and I will be ready.

Note: I started this entry at the end of May, but didn't finish it until July 10th. My summer is alive, well and in full swing. I'm working at a marina and loving life by the water. I meet several Canadians a week and many of them from Toronto. They have given me advice, encouragement and congratulations. Even from far away, they seem ready to welcome me to their country.