Monday, January 11, 2010
Life on two continents
My short sabbatical has come to an abrupt halt! I now have a schedule that stretches over 18 hours and two continents! How did this happen?
Mornings start with messages to North America. I get this strange pleasure catching up on a whole day of activities on the other side and being able to respond at my leisure. There can be no impossible deadlines when you are 10. 5 hours ahead of your clients! Then it’s time for having breakfast on my terrace. I don’t think I will ever tire of tropical plants in the sunlight. There are lunches here, meetings related to Pluralism, my new passion, sometimes I get to the pool a few streets down. Then afternoon comes, and I am back at the computer finishing my work for Canadians.
I have never been an early bird, not even close! Getting up when it’s still dark and cold, and rushing to get to a session I facilitate - with my mop of hair still damp - has been the least favorite part of my day. Fortunately, it always went uphill from there. What a treat now to be able to pre-empt all those smug early birds who get up at 5:00, all bright eyed and bushy tail, and look at the rest of us frumpy, dozing humans with a superior air. Now I can send them e-mails at the crack of their dawn. Bliss! But then the e-mails require responses and I get into my evenings. The queries require information, and I get busy with research. The friends say hello, which requires a hello back. Then there are SKYPE conversations. Next thing I know it’s 1:00 AM my time, and my better half has long ago given up on me.
I take the plane at the end of this week for Ottawa, which explains some of the frenzy. I will be happy to see everyone I can get to see in a few short weeks. But then, do I continue waltzing over the oceans, back and forth. What about all those plans I had for my sabbatical… I always think deep thoughts while my neighbours snore on long flights. Something about being in the air and knowing your life is literally in suspension. Looking forward to some insights!
Mornings start with messages to North America. I get this strange pleasure catching up on a whole day of activities on the other side and being able to respond at my leisure. There can be no impossible deadlines when you are 10. 5 hours ahead of your clients! Then it’s time for having breakfast on my terrace. I don’t think I will ever tire of tropical plants in the sunlight. There are lunches here, meetings related to Pluralism, my new passion, sometimes I get to the pool a few streets down. Then afternoon comes, and I am back at the computer finishing my work for Canadians.
I have never been an early bird, not even close! Getting up when it’s still dark and cold, and rushing to get to a session I facilitate - with my mop of hair still damp - has been the least favorite part of my day. Fortunately, it always went uphill from there. What a treat now to be able to pre-empt all those smug early birds who get up at 5:00, all bright eyed and bushy tail, and look at the rest of us frumpy, dozing humans with a superior air. Now I can send them e-mails at the crack of their dawn. Bliss! But then the e-mails require responses and I get into my evenings. The queries require information, and I get busy with research. The friends say hello, which requires a hello back. Then there are SKYPE conversations. Next thing I know it’s 1:00 AM my time, and my better half has long ago given up on me.
I take the plane at the end of this week for Ottawa, which explains some of the frenzy. I will be happy to see everyone I can get to see in a few short weeks. But then, do I continue waltzing over the oceans, back and forth. What about all those plans I had for my sabbatical… I always think deep thoughts while my neighbours snore on long flights. Something about being in the air and knowing your life is literally in suspension. Looking forward to some insights!
// posted by Dominique Dennery @ 10:42 PM 
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